Late goal by Jason Noade pulls Olympic out of jaws of defeat
The NAFL,
Division One League Match,
Venue: Kilmore Playing Fields, Saturday 21st September 2024,
Final Score: Ballynahinch Olympic 2 2 Larne Tech OB.
Olympic went into this game against Larne short on points in the league table and for long periods in this game struggled to find a way past a stubborn Larne defence writes Cyril McKinney.
The home side started well and pressed forward down both flanks in particular but the final ball in failed to create any real clear cut chances.
Larne went ahead on seven minutes following a quick counter attack down the left channel with a ball over the top to Larne forward Matthew Herron who drilled a great low drive from the edge of the box across the Olympic keeper Ryan Mason and into the net.
Olympic maintained pressure on the Larne backline but failed to find a way through a tight Larne defence well marshalled by McKenna, Akgun and McGoran who snuffed out the threat from Walsh, Quinn and the lively Jones.
The second half was more of the same with both sides largely cancelling each other out until the 57th minute when Larne’s Reece McGinley got on the end of a left wing cross from McDonald and scored past the despairing dive of Mason in the home nets to put the visitors 2-0 up.
This then tested the Olympic resolve and they continued to carry the game to Larne and with time running out Olympic won a penalty which was converted in style by captain Nathan Jones on 91 minutes to set up a grand finale with Olympic on the front foot.
The comeback was complete when Jason Noade fired home in the 94th minute to make matters all square at the final whistle.
Ballynahinch showed great tenacity and determination when the game seemed to be lost and will take heart from this comeback whereas Larne must of thought they had won the game.
Ballynahinch Olympic: Ryan Mason, Jack Roddy, Stephen King, Michael Rice, Jason Noade, Niall Flanagan, Ryan Walsh, Connor Reid, Shea Quinn, Nathan Jones, Joel Hunter. Subs: Liam Burns for Shea Quinn, Caolan Burns for Stephen King, Darren Lyons
Larne Tech OB: Ryan Marcus, Max Sterrett, Brodie Maxwell, Michael McKenna, Bilal Akgun, Shaun McGoran, Reece McGinley, Andrew Bell, Matthew Herron, Ryan McDonald, Oliver Carson. Subs: Joel Clarke for Shaun McGoran , Ben Monaghan for Matthew Herron, Carson Mulholland for Max Sterrett
