Ballinamallard United 1
Ballymena United 0
League (NIFL Premiership)

Match Report

Ballinamallard United side picked up a much needed three points as Ryan Campbell's 59th minute goal proved the difference against Ballymena at Ferney Park last night.

A single goal always looked as if it would decide the contest and the home side will be delighted to return to winning ways, the victory lifting them back towards mid-table in the league.

The first half was a tight affair with little in the way of clear cut chances coming at either end although it was the visitors who were the more cohesive outfit with Thomas Robinson giving Ballinamallard problems at times down the right hand side with his pace.

Ballymena enjoyed the greater possession in the first period although it was the Mallards who had the first shot on target with Ryan Campbell firing an effort from the edge of the box in the ninth minute that was comfortably gathered by Ballymena goalkeeper Dwayne Nelson.

At the other end Robinson was sent scurrying away on the right by Gary Thompson but he shot from the angle at Mallards goalkeeper Alvin Rouse while Robinson then burst towards the byline but could not pick out David Cushley with his cutback.

Ballymena continued to shade the contest but they struggled to slice open the home defence and it was Ballinamallard who had the last attempt of the half when Steve Feeney struck a half volley from 18 yards but this was saved by Nelson as a goalless half came to a close.

A good run by Jason McCartney early in the second half saw him tee up Campbell on the right but he drove wide while Cushley then went close for Ballymena, dragging his effort wide of the far post.

Ballinamallard were much livelier after the break and McCartney then forced a good save from Nelson who got down low to push the ball away for a corner.

And in the 59th minute the home side took the lead when a corner broke to Ryan Campbell on the edge of the box and he took a touch before clipping the ball beyond Nelson to the corner of the net.

Ballymena did apply pressure after the goal but the Mallards defended manfully, giving Ballymena no real sniff of the goal although Rouse did push a Thompson shot from distance around the post.

Match report written by Belfast Telegraph