Linfield 3
Ballymena United 2
League (NIFL Premiership)

Match Report

UNITED took an early lead at Windsor Park today, but Linfield came back to win the game 3-2, Johnny Taylor scoring both goals for the visitors.

Almost ten years since Dominic Melly gave Ballymena their last league victory away to Linfield, the Sky Blues took an early lead when Johnny Taylor rose to meet a Neal Gawley corner and head past the helpless Jonny Tuffey.

That lead would last just over 10 minutes though, as the Blues went on a scoring spree, netting three goals in the space of twenty minutes to take a 3-1 lead into the half-time break.

Linfield had a chance to grab another goal at the start of the second half, but Stephen Lowry scuffed his shot well over the bar. United started to take controlf of the game and enjoyed spells of pressure, forcing several saves from Tuffey.

Johnny Taylor set up a grandstand finish to the game when he latched onto another Neal Gawley corner and headed the ball just over the line. The linesman signalled that the ball had crossed the line and referee Ian McNabb acknowledged this and awarded the goal.

Dwayne Nelson suffered an injury shortly afterwards and had to play the remainder of the game with his ankle strapped up, but he made a series of fine saves to keep United in the game.

Dwayne Nelson Receives Treatment On An Ankle Injury
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Neal Gawley hit the post with a free-kick and Allan Jenkins shot just wide as the visitors applied pressure, but unfortunately no equaliser came and the large crowd of Sky Blue supporters left Windsor Park disappointed not to come away with at least a point.

Match report written by Paul Irwin