THE start of the Ballymena - Coleraine League fixture on Saturday was put back until six o'clock in the evening owing to the counter-attraction in the form of the Ulster Grand Prix, and that change was shown by the attendance.

It is estimated that over 1,000 travelled by the special train from Coleraine, while many more came by road, and these with the local crowd made up a big attendance, the 'gate' amounting to something over £120.

The visitors won the toss and sent Ballymena to face a strong setting sun. The game opened in exhilarating fashion, both sides slinging the ball about freely.

Ballymena, however, were having rather the best of it. McSeveney and McKinney having all they could do to keep the home forwards out and when, five minutes from the start, McCambridge scored a great goal from twenty yards out, the point was deserved on the run of play.

Davy Reid initiated this movement by passing to Bentley. The latter sent across and Morrow shoved slightly back to McCambridge, whose 'first-timer' came off.

After a brief attack by Coleraine, in which the two extreme wingers and Nelis figured, Ballymena went away again in brisk fashion, and Corscadden had to fist over the bar a hard drive from J. Reid.

The flag-kick led to anorther corner, Corscadden fisting over again, but eventually McSeveney cleared.

Ballymena were soon back again, however, and when Bentley sent in a high centre the Coleraine goal had another narrow escape, Shiels just missing to connect with his head by inches.

Morrow was next to have a try at goal, but his effort was a trifle wide.

So far Coleraine were being out-played, but eventually they got away, Doherty, who carried well up the wing and, although his centre was a very weak one, O'Donnell connected and, sent to Gilmour, who netted from close in. Gough having no chance.

While the point was a good one, it was hardly deserved on the run of play, but it can be said for Coleraine that they made the most of their opportunities, and a few minutes later they took the lead by the same tactics - letting fly for goal no matter what the distance.

McLoughlin shot from far out on the left and the ball came in high on the line of the sun with Gilmour in close attendance.

McNinch probably never got a sight of it; at any rate he mis-judged its flight, and as he was covering Gough, the latter never got a chance.

The majority of those present gave Gilmour credit for this goal, but whether he ever touched it or not is a moot point.

At all events Coleraine were now leading by the odd goal in three. They did not keep it long, however, for after Morrow and Shiels had both missed great chances - Morrow lifting the ball high over only a few yards out from an open goal.

Shiels made amends by taking a neat pass up the centre from Morrow and racing through all opposition to beat Corscadden for the equaliser.

Just before the interval Ballymena slacked off somewhat, and play was in their end when the 'breather' arrived.

The second half was no less exciting than the first. After a series of end-to-end rushes, in the course of which both keepers had to exert themselves in turn.

Ballymena again began to exert considerable pressure, and several corners came their way. Following one of these Bentley fired in a great shot which Corscadden tipped over, and nothing came of the resultant flag-kick.

In the next minute Gough brought off a daring save at the other end by diving at O'Donnell's feet, and the next incident was a narrow escape for the Coleraine goal, two Ballymena players, one of whom was Shiels, diving headlong into the net in an effort to get at the ball as it went sailing past the visitors' goal.

Thus the game went on, one thrilling incident following another, until O'Donnell got away on the right, and after deftly drawing the home defence he sent across to Gilmour, who gave Gough no chance.

This, coming near the close of the game, looked like the winning goal, but Ballymena put forth a great effort, and a bare two minutes from time, in the course of a hot attack on the Coleraine goal, Shiels cut through between the opposing backs to score the equaliser with a great shot which crashed into the top of the net amidst the indescribable scenes of enthusiasm amongst the home supporters.

Almost immediately afterwards the whistle terminated a thrilling game with the honours evenly divided.

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

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

Coleraine: Corscadden, McSeveney, McKinney, Vincent, Mears, Everett, Doherty, O'Donnell, Gilmour, Nelis, McLoughlin.

Referee: Mr. C. Devine (Derry)