Ballymena United 2
Dungannon Swifts 4
League (NIFL Premiership)

Match Report

BALLYMENA United dropped down a place in the table as Dungannon Swifts won at the Showgrounds with help from a Ryan Harpur hat-trick.

In the 5th minute of the game Douglas Wilson had a shot blocked but Andrew Mitchell got on the rebound to send the ball home and give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The lead was doubled on the quarter hour mark as Dwayne Nelson fouled Ryan Harpur in the box, Harpur himself converting the penalty.

The first chance for United came on the 23rd minute but David Cushley volleyed the ball high over the bar. Ballymena did manage to pull a goal back on 27 minutes after some neat play between Gary Thompson and Eoin Kane led to a chance for Cushley who finished off the move with a fine shot past Swifts keeper Andy Coleman. United were level just before half time as Eoin Kane poked the ball through to Allan Jenkins who rounded Coleman and slotted the ball into the net.

The home side had the first chance of the 2nd half moments after it kicked off, Jonny Frazer firing over the bar. Minutes later Frazer was taken down by Douglas Wilson who was then booked by referee Tim Marshall. United went on to force a corner but it was cleared by the Dungannon Swifts defence.

Ballymena were behind again in the 54th minute of the game as Ryan Harpur was through on goal, rounded Nelson, and put the ball into the back of the net. Minutes later Ryan Harpur had his hat-trick as he shot from outside the box and Dwayne Nelson could get nowhere near it.

With 66 minutes on the clock, United made their first substitution of the game, Matthew Tipton coming on to replace Eoin Kane. Within about 10 seconds Tipton was in the book after an apparent dive, then he forced Coleman into a point blank save.
It was a very disappointing day for the home side, not only coming back from two goals down to draw level only to concede another two goals, but also dropping behind the Swifts in the league table.

Match report written by Paul Irwin