10.15am 7 December 2013
Ballymena Saturday Morning League, Division One
Ballykeel 3 FC Penarol 2 (att 18)
While the standard of the football in the Ballymena Saturday Morning League's top division isn't bad, it's not something I'd go out of my way to watch. But with a flight landing at Belfast International Airport before 8am, the 10.15 kick offs are ideally timed to fill the gap between breakfast and a more significant game in the afternoon.
Ballykeel is a housing estate just off the Larne road heading out of Ballymena. The football pitch is behind what looks to be some sort of community centre building, which also houses the changing rooms.
The main pitch is enclosed but, not unexpectedly at this level, there are no facilities for spectators. The one unusual feature, that I don't recall seeing anywhere else, is that the club's name is spelled out in large letters fixed to the high fence that encloses the ground behind the far goal. It's a nice touch, and makes it feel more like a "proper" venue.
It wasn't a bad game to begin a hectic weekend of groundhopping in Ireland. Ballykeel played some decent football and looked to be strolling to a comfortable and deserved win as they led 3-0 towards the end.
FC Penarol scored what appeared to be little more than a late consolation, but then moments later the visitors won a penalty for handball, which they scored to reduce to lead to 3-2. Sadly for them, and for any neutrals watching (probably just me) there wasn't enough time for them to complete a comeback.
View Ballykeel FC in a larger map
Ballymena Saturday Morning League, Division One
Ballykeel 3 FC Penarol 2 (att 18)
While the standard of the football in the Ballymena Saturday Morning League's top division isn't bad, it's not something I'd go out of my way to watch. But with a flight landing at Belfast International Airport before 8am, the 10.15 kick offs are ideally timed to fill the gap between breakfast and a more significant game in the afternoon.
Ballykeel is a housing estate just off the Larne road heading out of Ballymena. The football pitch is behind what looks to be some sort of community centre building, which also houses the changing rooms.
The main pitch is enclosed but, not unexpectedly at this level, there are no facilities for spectators. The one unusual feature, that I don't recall seeing anywhere else, is that the club's name is spelled out in large letters fixed to the high fence that encloses the ground behind the far goal. It's a nice touch, and makes it feel more like a "proper" venue.
It wasn't a bad game to begin a hectic weekend of groundhopping in Ireland. Ballykeel played some decent football and looked to be strolling to a comfortable and deserved win as they led 3-0 towards the end.
FC Penarol scored what appeared to be little more than a late consolation, but then moments later the visitors won a penalty for handball, which they scored to reduce to lead to 3-2. Sadly for them, and for any neutrals watching (probably just me) there wasn't enough time for them to complete a comeback.
View Ballykeel FC in a larger map
Comments
Post a Comment