Dungannon Swifts 1
Ballymena United 3
League (NIFL Premiership)

Match Report

Ballymena United carried good momentum into Tuesday nights Irish Cup semi-final with a 3-1 victory over Dungannon at Stangmore Park this afternoon.

With an unchanged side to the one that saw United into the Irish Cup semi-final in mid-week, Ballymena started well in County Tyrone and inside five minutes a first time shot from Leroy Millar was batted away by Swifts 'keeper Sam Johnston.

On seventeen minutes Ballymena had an injury concern as Kofi Balmer went down in a great deal of pain following a good challenge from the centre back, and after lengthy treatment he was forced off and replaced by Conor Keeley.

In the next play following United's substitution Dungannon came close to opening the scoring when a mixture of a Ross Glendinning save and Andy McGrory clearance off the line kept the hosts out.

Despite Ballymena applying most of the pressure, chances were few and far between at either end, but when Ballymena were denied two free kick's on the edge of the box for fouls on Shay McCartan, Dungannon went straight down the other end and Keeley made a block to keep out sub Michael Carvill, who'd replaced an injured Shane McGinty.

The deadlock was broken two minutes from the break through Keeley. Paul McElroy was brought down on the left and Ross Redman did what Ross Redman does best, crossing for Conor Keeley to head home.

From a similar position a minute later it was almost the same result, as Redman's deep free kick was again met by Keeley, but his flick came off Johnston and onto the post, before being cleared, as Ballymena took a narrow lead to the break.

Ballymena made another change at the break as captain Jim Ervin made way, to be replaced by Sean Graham. After a strong end to the first half, the Sky Blues started the second half well and after McCartan cut in from the right, his shot clipped the top of the crossbar on its way out.

Ballymena did double their lead ten minutes into the second half through the man with the armband Millar. A delightful reverse through ball from McCartan played in Leroy Millar and he lifted the ball over Johnston from close range to give United a decent cushion.

Seven minutes after the second Trai Hume added a third to put the game to bed. Unsurprisingly, Redman produced the assist as his corner went through Dungannon's 'keeper and defence and Hume was in the right place to tuck the ball home for his second in as many games.

Dean Shiels' plans at Dungannon for more possessive football were clear to see, and one of the Swifts' best moves of the match ended with Rhyss Campbell's low effort being kept out by Glendinning who got down well. Oisin Smyth scored a late consolation goal for Dungannon with three minutes remaining

United almost reestablished their three goal lead straight away when Ryan Waide, who was bright all day, flicked the ball across goal for sub Ryan Harpur who turned it narrowly wide, but in the end Ballymena took a comfortable win into Tuesday's huge Irish Cup semi with Linfield at Mourneview Park.

Match report written by Philip McPeake (www.ballymenaunitedfc.com)