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Ballymena United
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Portadown
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Dwayne Nelson (61)
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Garry Breen (45)
Darren Murray (61)
Mark McAllister (75)
Ross Redman (75) |
Appearances & Goals To Date
Starting Lineup
| Youngest Player: | David Cushley (25 years 31 days) |
| Oldest Player: | Matthew Tipton (34 years 56 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 29 years 68 days |
| Domestic Players: | 9 (81.82 % of starting eleven) |
Matchday Squad
| Youngest Player: | Aaron Harris (19 years 296 days) |
| Oldest Player: | David Munster (35 years 182 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 28 years 152 days |
| Domestic Players: | 14 (87.50 % of matchday squad) |
BALLYMENA United maintained their position at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership table courtesy of an entertaining 3-2 victory over Portadown at the Showgrounds.
Portadown threatened first, but Mark McAllister's early strike from inside the box struck the cross bar as United escaped unscathed. The opening exchanges were otherwise fairly quiet until the hosts took the lead on the half hour mark. Neal Gawley's corner from the right hand side found Kyle McVey unmarked in the box and the summer singing headed the ball down and into the net to give his side the lead.
Early in the second half, Matthew Tipton forced a good save out of Portadown goalkeeper David Miskelly after a through ball from Stephen McBride before Miskelly again showed expert reflexes to deny Alan Teggart. United were in control at this point, and almost doubled their lead through another Neal Gawley corner. After a goal mouth scramble, the ball eventually fell to Allan Jenkins but the United captain drilled his powerful effort just over the frame of the goal.
Soon after, tempers flared as Dwayne Nelson and Ports striker Darren Murray became involved in an altercation with Mark McAllister perhaps fortunate not to be sent off after raising his hands to the United goalkeeper. The home side continued to press, with Alan Teggart's effort denied by David Miskelly after Matthew Tipton's lay off.
On 66 minutes, against the run of play, Portadown were level. Midfielder Robert Garret collected the ball near the halfway line and strode forward before unleashing an effort from almost 30 yards which nestled into the bottom corner to give the visitors some much needed belief. However, parity in the scoreline was not to last long as Allan Jenkins and Alan Teggart combined well from a free kick, with the former stroking the ball home to give United a deserved lead.
On 85 minutes, in desperate search of an equaliser, Portadown forced a corner but somehow conceded from it, as the ball was instantly cleared to Darren Boyce on the halfway line, who raced through on goal to slot the ball past David Miskelly and effectively wrap up proceedings.
Portadown did score a late consolation through a Darren Murray penalty after substitute Michael Ruddy was penalised for a handball in the box but it mattered little as United held out to record their second consecutive home win and preserve their unbeaten start to the new season.
Match report written by Jordan Miller
