Ballinamallard 0 Cliftonville 0

(Ballinamallard won 3-1 on pens)

 

Ballinamallard won the Harry Cavan Cup in dramatic fashion, defeating Cliftonville after a penalty shoot out at the National Stadium at Windsor Park. Goalkeeper Nathan Hunter was the Mallard’s hero, saving two spot kicks in the shoot out after a goalless draw sent the teams to spot kicks.

Ballinamallard appeared unaffected by the big occasion, and started on the front foot with Danny Barker raiding down the right wing.

Their first effort on target came in the eighth minute from Dylan Boyle, who has passed a late fitness test to make the starting line up, but his long range effort was comfortable for the keeper. 

As the game progressed Cliftonville started to pose more of a threat and Shane Haughey blasted over the bar. The dangerous Jack Berry then had an effort deflected inches past the post by Alex Magee and Jamie Steele headed off the line as the pressure on the Mallards increased. 

Padraig McVicker then shot straight at Nathan Hunter from the edge of the area, but the Mallards were still looking dangerous on the break and came within inches of taking the lead when Josh Gallagher slid a ball between the full back and centre back for Danny Barker, who fired in a cross from the byline. Boyle got ahead of the defender at the front post but under pressure he couldn’t get a clean connection on his shot and Cliftonville hacked off the line.

Adam Armstrong then blocked a close range, goal bound effort and Hunter did superbly to deny Berry as the winger raced clear of the defence. 

The second half proved to be as closely contested as the first, with Cliftonville the first to carve out an opportunity when Ben Mallon chested the ball down inside the penalty area and swivelled to shoot, but Hunter dived to save.

Two minutes later the Mallards were denied by the woodwork. Aaron Smyton found Barker on the halfway line, and the striker turned the defender and raced towards goal, but his shot from an angle cannoned off the crossbar and bounced to safety.

There was still little to choose between the teams as extra time loomed, but Cliftonville thought they had snatched it in the 94th minute only for the offside flag to cut short their celebrations.

Tired legs were obvious in extra time, but once again it was Cliftonville who came closest in added time but their shot across the face of goal struck the inside of the post and bounced back into Hunter’s arms.

The Mallards captain Aaron Smyton scored the first spot kick and Shane Speak and Ben Arnold followed suit.

Hunter twice made diving saves to his right to give the Fermanagh side the advantage, and when Cliftonville’s final penalty struck both posts and did not cross the line, Ballinamallard were crowned champions for the third time in their history.