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Ballymena United
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Warrenpoint Town
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None. |
Ciaran Gargan (20)
Stephen Moan (90) |
Appearances & Goals To Date
Starting Lineup
| Youngest Player: | David Cushley (25 years 24 days) |
| Oldest Player: | Matthew Tipton (34 years 49 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 28 years 315 days |
| Domestic Players: | 8 (72.73 % of starting eleven) |
Matchday Squad
| Youngest Player: | Michael Ruddy (21 years 9 days) |
| Oldest Player: | David Munster (35 years 175 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 28 years 296 days |
| Domestic Players: | 13 (81.25 % of matchday squad) |
BALLYMENA United got off to a winning start in the new league campaign, defeating Warrenpoint Town 2-0 courtesy of superb efforts from David Cushley and Neal Gawley either side of half time.
United started brightly with David Cushley going close with just six minutes on the clock. Minutes later, Johnny Taylor fired over a half volley from Neal Gawley's corner as the hosts put visitors Warrenpoint under early pressure.
The Sky Blues continued to press and deservedly took the lead on 16 minutes. David Cushley collected the ball in a seemingly non-threatening position in midfield, before unleashing an unstoppable long range effort beyond the reach of goalkeeper Jonathan Parr. Cushley should have doubled his side's advantage six minutes later but skewed a glorious effort wide of goal after displaying great acceleration to race onto a through ball from Mark McCullagh.
Alan Teggert and debutant Kyle McVey both went close for United before Warrenpoint finally threatened. Striker Daniel Hughes shrugged off the challenge of defender Johnny Taylor to unleash a powerful effort on goal from the edge of the box, but United goalkeeper Dwayne Nelson was on hand to hold comfortably. Stephen McCabe had a further effort denied for Warrenpoint on the stroke of half time, after Alan Davidson had almost made it two for United thanks to some clever link up play with David Cushley.
Both sides traded chances early in the second half with first Matthew Tipton and then Mark Hughes going close before Neal Gawley effectively killed the game with a stunning effort on 53 minutes. Stephen McBride's cross from the left was controlled in midfield by the winger, who knocked the ball onto his left foot and unleashed a powerful, low effort into the corner of the goal amidst rapturous applause from the home crowd.
Matthew Tipton almost made it three on the hour mark, but Jonathan Parr was equal to his effort from inside the six yard box. Dwayne Nelson pulled off a stunning save from Stephen McCabe on 62 minutes to protect his clean sheet, denying Warrenpoint's best opportunity to get back into the game in the process. Tipton went close yet again for United in the closing stages, as did Mark Hughes for Warrenpoint but in the end the home defence held out to record a clean sheet and claim a most welcome opening day three points.
Match report written by Jordan Miller
