TOALSBET.COM STEEL & SONS CUP FINAL
HOLYWOOD 1 (BURNS 26) BALLYMACASH RANGERS 1 (HUNTER 16)
Ballymacash Rangers win 4-2 on penalties
Rory McKee reports from Seaview
HOLYWOOD were left holding their heads high despite suffering defeat in the Steel and Sons Cup Final on Christmas morning.
The traditional festive showpiece was decided from the penalty spot after the two sides couldn’t be separated in 90 minutes, with Ross Hunter’s first-half opener for Ballymacash Rangers cancelled out 10 minutes later by Holywood full-back Josh Burns.
In the end, ‘Cash goalkeeper Jordan Williamson was the hero as he pulled off two saves in the shootout to ensure the Premier Intermediate League club were the ones hoisting the trophy in front of a bumper Seaview crowd of more than 2,000.
With a two-division gap between the sides, many had tipped Ballymacash to run out comfortable winners – however Jonny McKay and Glen Upton’s outfit proved every bit a match for their third-tier opponents on the day.
The Lisburn men were given a scare after 12 minutes when semi-final matchwinner JJ McKinley’s shot from 25 yards was spilled by Jordan Williamson with Gareth Keenan unable to capitalise on the follow-up.
At the other end Andy McGrory dragged an effort just wide before Ryan James saved well with his feet to deny Jonathan Doyle inside the area.
The breakthrough arrived just after the quarter-hour courtesy of former Ards striker Ross Hunter, who showed outstanding control to pluck the ball out of the air and roll it past a stranded James for his third goal in this season’s competition.
Falling behind seemed to inspire Holywood, who for the remainder of the half enjoyed arguably their best spell culminating in the equaliser on 26 minutes.
Captain Stephen Anderson refused to give up possession by the corner flag and delivered a cross back into a dangerous area from which Ballymacash could only half clear, and waiting to pounce on the loose ball was Josh Burns whose deflected strike flew past Williamson to get Holywood on level terms.
Holywood continued to grow in confidence but ‘Cash still carried a threat of their own and really should have retaken the lead seven minutes before the break.
It took a last-ditch tackle from Martin Cox to stop Hunter from doubling his tally from close range and moments later strike partner Adam Neale’s shot was kept out superbly by James to preserve parity at half-time.
It was Ballymacash who threatened first after the restart but ex-Glenavon man McGrory could only head over the bar having arrived in the six-yard box to meet a cross from Harry O’Neill.
Less than a minute later McGrory came to his side’s rescue at the opposite end as he cleared off the line after Calum James had forced Williamson into tipping his header over for a corner.
Hunter then saw a shot smothered by Holywood ‘keeper James having latched onto a through ball from Neale.
As the clock ticked towards the final 15 minutes and clear cut chances were becoming increasingly rare, the ball broke invitingly for Joshua Craig on the edge of the Ballymacash penalty area but the midfielder miscued his effort.
It had been the late, late show for Holywood in the semi-final but this time they found themselves with defending to do during four minutes of additional time as referee Sam Naylor sounded his final whistle.
Ballymacash converted their first three penalties – Eamonn Hughes, Karl Devine and Ross Hunter all successful from the spot – with Josh Craig and Connor Craig following suit for Holywood before Josh Burns saw his attempt saved by Williamson to hand the advantage to Gary Hamilton’s team.
After Jonathan Doyle slotted his penalty to make it 4-2, Josh Ritchie stepped up knowing he had to score to keep Holywood’s hopes alive but Williamson was equal to the task for a second time to seal the deal for Rangers.
Holywood: R. James, Keys, Burns, Ritchie, Cox, Munn, McKinley, J. Craig, C. James, Anderson (C), Keenan.
Substitutes: Hamilton for McKinley 65, M. Andrews for Keys 69, C. Craig for Keenan 83. Not used: B. Andrews, McCadden.
Ballymacash Rangers: Williamson (C), Hughes, Clarke, Devine, Neale, Hunter, Doyle, Woolsey, McGrory, Neill, O’Neill.
Substitutes: Cochrane for Neale 76. Not used: Robinson, Neely, Sinnerton, Hamilton.
Referee: Sam Naylor
