New boys Ballinamallard United are flying high at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership table after their 1-0 victory over title chasers Coleraine.
The Mallards, who have brought a breath of fresh air to the Irish League this season, secured the victory with a Ryan Campbell strike in the 73rd minute.
Campbell collected a good ball from Jason McCartney before firing in a crisp left foot shot past Coleraine keeper Michael Doherty.
The three points lift the high flying Ferney Park club over Coleraine and Cliftonville.
Campbell, who is a rich vein of form at the moment, scoring five in the last five games said, “It hasn’t sunk in yet that we are top of the table.
“We have a great team spirit and everyone is battling for each other,” he added.
Manager Whitey Anderson was again delighted with the performance.
“It’s a great feeling to be sitting on top of the division,” Anderson said.
“We deserved our victory today. I felt it would be very tight and told the boys at half time that one goal would win it. We got it and deserved to hold onto it.”
Anderson was full of praise for his players after Saturday’s performance.
The team, without the suspended Mark Stafford and injured Mark McConkey, edged the first half.
They have been magnificent all through and have worked extremely hard.
“It was always going to be difficult against Coleraine,” the Mallards boss added.
“They are a good side, but we set ourselves up well against their three in the middle. We kept our shape well and in the second half pushed on.
“That score by Ryan was so important. That’s five in five for the in form striker and nobody deserves it more.
“He took his goal very well and both he and Andy Crawford are doing the business for the side. In saying that it was a real team performance today.
“Our backline was very solid and midfield worked extremely hard. I feel the back five was outstanding.
“Our last six league games have been amazing, not only have they been good results, but they have been good performances.
“You can’t take it away from these boys. They have taken a step up and adjusted very well. If you look at the league table it shows we can play as well as defend.
“Really though, it was great to get the three points and being top of the pack makes it even more satisfying.”
Dangerman Chris Curran went close twice in the first half while Curtis Allen was off target with a good header.
Campbell’s goal sent the home fans wild with 17 minutes to go and Jason McCartney should have wrapped it up in the closing seconds when he broke clear on the counter attack on 91 minutes to shoot just wide of Doherty’s post.
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