LARNE's first home fixture was a most attractive one the visitors being their near neighbours, Ballymena.

The match took place before a big crowd, which included a strong contingent of Ballymena supporters.

In the opening minutes the visitors forced matters, and a free near the line gave Small an opportunity to make a fine clearance form Morrow and Webster.

Gradually the attack was transferred to the other end, where the Ballymena backs did not seem too safe under pressure, and Clarke had several dangerous-looking shots to clear.

Houston was loudly cheered for a couple of fine efforts, as was Fergie, but Clarke was not to be caught napping.

A free kick by McNinch brought Irvine into the limelight, and he had to save from Woodrow.

Following a spell of midfield play, Ballymena again attacked, but the home defence was sound. A fine dash away by Rafferty saw Houston get a chance at the corner of the penalty area.

He shot with terrific force, and Clarke was unable to stop the progress of the ball into the net.

Nothing dishearted, the mid-Antrim men were soon in the vicinity of the Larne goal, which had several lucky escapes from Shiels and Morrow, through a misunderstanding between Irvine and Small.

Territorally the visitors were well in the game, but the shooting was weak, and Irvine was not unduly troubled.

Houston was injured in a collision with J. Reid and had to be carried off five minutes before half-time.

A corner to the visitors a minute later gave McCambridge an opportunity of heading the equaliser.

Larne resumed without Houston. but still were the first to attack. The Ballymena defence was well able to cope with the four home forwards, and speedily play was transferred to the other end, where a fruitless corner resulted.

Shortly afterwards a couple of corners fell in quick sucession to the home team, and the Ballymena goal had more than one narrow escape before the onslaught was repelled.

Morris (Larne) was slightly injured, but soon resumed. Kane was fouled inside the area, and Kennedy, who took the penalty, scored.

At this stage the home team were playing a winning game despite the handicap of Houston's absence.

Clarke effected a marvellous clearance when a goal seemed a certainty.

In the last two minutes a penalty was awarded to Ballymena for a foul against Mitchell, and Davy Reid put in the equalising score.

Report taken from Ballymena Weekly Telegraph - Saturday, 1st September, 1928.

Larne: Irvine, Small, Morris, Horner, Kennedy, Fergie, Rafferty, Kane, Houston, Whitley, White.

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