Ballymena United see off Newry City at Showgrounds
Ballymena United were not at their best but they still saw off Newry City 3-0 at the Showgrounds.
Goals from Leroy Millar, Cathar Friel and Andy McGrory sealed the win for David Jeffrey's side.
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Hide AdNewry played well but they lacked a cutting edge when it mattered.
Ballymena had two great chances in the opening minutes but Kofi Balmer's and James Knowles efforts were well saved by Newry keeper Andrew Coleman.
The home side - playing their first league game at the Showgrounds this season - took the lead in the 12th minute.
A corner was cleared and it fell to Leroy Millar and he curled a wonderful left foot effort into the top corner.
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Hide AdThe game went quiet for a while with neither side really causing the other any problems - but it was a good game of football.
Then right on half-time Newry's Declan Carville turned and shot but his shot was deflected wide of the United goal.
The first ten minutes of the second half was also a quiet affair as both teams tried to get a foothold on the game.
In the 63rd minute it was 2-0. United's Adam Lecky did well. His effort was deflected into the path of Cathar Friel and he applied the finish.
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Hide AdNewry had a chance in the 77th minute but John Boyle dragged his shot wide from outside the box.
The visitors were pushing forward and playing well. However their final ball was lacking and the chances were lost.
Friel tried his luck again from outside the box. The strikers effort however drifted wide with Coleman looking on.
On the 84th minute United substitute Jonathan McMurray's shot was well saved by Coleman.
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Hide AdIt was 3-0 for the home side right at the death as Andy McGrory fired home and the Sky Blues were home and dry
Ballymena: Glendinning, Whiteside, Mayse (Winchester 69mins), Friel (Faulkner 86mins), Knowles, McCullough, McGrory, Balmer, Ervin, Lecky (McMurray 75mins), Millar.
Subs not used: McDermott, Kane, Quigley, R Glendinning,.
Newry: Coleman, King (Delaney 73mins), Noonan, Boyle, McCann (Teggart 75mins), Walker, Carvile, S Hughes, M Hughes, Lavery (McCabe 64th) Montgomery.
Subs not used: Maguire, McCabe, Johnston, Mullen, Healy.
Referee: Shane Andrews