BALLYMENA, the latest recruit to senior football circles played their opening fixture against Belfast Celtic at the Showgrounds, Ballymena, on Wednesday evening.

Despite the rain there was a big attendance, estimated at nearly 10,000 which included a large contingent of Celtic supporters, who travelled by special train and charabanc.

Prior to the start of the game, and during the interval, the Ballymena Silver Band, under the baton of Mr. C. Ashdown, contributed a choice programme of music.

Celtic won the toss, and sent Ballymena to face the rain and a light breeze. The visitors opened strongly, and the first incident was a centre from Carroll, the ball going right across the home goalmouth and behind.

Ballymena now came into the picture, but their best effort was an abortive corner.

Celtic were away again and a miskick by McNinch let J. Mahood in. Clarke cleared, however, and play reverted to midfield.

Celtic were not only much quicker on the ball, but positioned better, and it was noticeable that the home backs were none too steady under pressure, while the forwards instead of banging for goal when in the Celtic end took much out of the ball.

Two abortive corners fell to Celtic; then J. Mahood was in the picture again, his first shot being blocked by McNinch, and an immediate return was saved by Clarke.

At the other end the home left-wing worked well down in unison and Woodrow sent in for Shiels to head goalwards and graze the wrong side of the crossbar.

Celtic again attacked, and, McNinch clearing weakly, J. Mahood cut through, and with a right-foot shot from about 20 yards beat Clarke all the way. This was after twenty minutes' play.

Later, Mahood came away again, and sent to Curran, but the latter held on too long when close in. and was put off his balance by McDairmid, who thus saved an almost certain goal.

Another score was not long delayed, however, for McNinch gave away a free by fouling Carroll, and Pollock from well out drove hard and true over Clarke's hands to find the back of the net for No. .

There was now only eight minutes of this period to go, and although Ballymena were frequently in the visitors' end, their attack lacked punch.

Ballymena were first to be dangerous in the second half, and in the first minute Morrow got across a nice centre, which was picked up by Woodrow, but Fulton got in the way of a shot for goal.

In the next minute Curran raced through the opposition and struck the upright. Mahood raced in for the rebound and scored easily with McNinch in attendance.

The home side were more in the limelight after this, and a nice piece of play culminated in J. Reid sending in a great shot which Diffin cleverly punched clear and was warmly applauded for a good save. At the other end Clarke dived at Curran's feet and saved a certainty.

A reshuffle of the home forward line in this half was if anything an improvement, Shiels going outside-right, Woodrow to centre and Morrow inside-left, and on the whole the were having a fair share of the play but were not so dangerous when near goal.

Towards the close play waxed vigorous, and McNinch, in attempting to clear, was badly fouled by Curran, who was ordered off, while McNinch lay on the ground apparently injured about the leg.

A portion of the crowd on the unreserved area invaded the pitch, and the referee came in for some attention, but eventually the pitch was cleared and play was resumed.

Ballymena were now doing most of the pressing, and the Celtic goal had a most miraculous escape, Morrow sending in and from the rebound Shiels struck the upright with Diffin beaten to the world.

At the other end Carroll, now in the pivot position, cut through and drove hard with McDiarmid in attendance, only to see the ball go yards wide.

Initiating a home attack, McNinch lobbed into goal from half way, but Diffin saved at full length at the expense of a corner.

In the closing minutes Carroll fired in a great shot, which Clarke fisted clear.

End to end play ruled to the finish, but both defences were equal to all emergencies.

Report taken from Ballymena Weekly Telegraph - Saturday, 25th August, 1928.

Ballymena: Clarke, McNinch, McDiarmid, J. Reid, D. Reid, McCambridge, Morrow, Mitchell, Shiels, Webster.

Belfast Celtic: Diffin, Ferguson, Fulton, Pollock, Moore, Inch, Carroll, McCullough, Curran, Ferris, J. Mahood.

Referee: Mr. W. McLean