Ballymena United 6
Portadown 1
League (IFA Premiership - Section B)

Match Report

BALLYMENA United bounced back in style at the Showgrounds on Easter Tuesday defeating Portadown by six goals to one, recording their biggest Premiership victory since an 8-0 demolition of Newry Town in 1994.

Given that United had been on a dreadful run of form, having not recorded a victory in any competition since January 15th, this annihilation of Portadown came as something of a surprise. The opener came as early as the fourth minute, a delightful clipped effort from David Cushley from the edge of the area. The best however, was yet to come.

Portadown equalised on ten minutes, a long punt forward found January signing Gary Twigg, who with one touch slotted the ball past the on-rushing Dwayne Nelson and into the net. Parity had been restored, but only briefly. On 15 minutes, David Cushley bettered his earlier effort with a superb volley from all of 25 yards which curled into the top corner, earning rapturous applause from the home support. The flying winger could do no wrong, and earned his hat-trick on 42 minutes. Gary Thompson elected to square the ball rather than shoot, and Cushley was on hand to tuck the ball away from inside the box to extend his side's lead.

That lead was extended even further on the edge of half time when Mark Surgenor turned in Tony Kane's cross to put the result beyond all reasonable doubt with half of the match still remaining. United didn't rest on their laurels in the second half and made it five just after break, striker Garry Liggett firing home from just inside the box.

Liggett bagged a brace soon after, when he turned in Allan Jenkins' square ball to add real gloss to the scoreline. The home side could have won by an even even bigger margin, with Liggett unfortunate not to become the second player of the afternoon to score a hat-trick, in addition to chances squandered by Mark Surgenor, Gavin Taggart and substitute Alan Davidson.

The Sky Blues have a free Saturday this weekend due to the Irish Cup semi finals but are back in action the following weekend away to 11th placed Donegal Celtic. A repeat of this performance wouldn't go down badly at all!

Match report written by Jordan Miller