IRISH LEAGUE FULL-TIME VERDICT: Everything you need to know from Ballymena United 2 Portadown 0
Ballymena United picked up their second Premiership victory of the season after two second half goals saw off rock-bottom Portadown at The Showgrounds.
TOP RATED
BALLYMENA UNITED: In a game of very few clear-cut chances, Caoimhin McConnell might not have done anything spectacular but he was a bright spark in possession for the Braidmen.
PORTADOWN: Divin Isamala won his fair share of headers in the heart of the Portadown defence and attempted to get forward as much as possible.
BIG MOMENT
The game desperately needed a goal and up-stepped Finley Thorndike just after the hour mark. The midfielder was afforded too much space inside the box and he arrowed a delightful effort beyond the reach of Aaron McCarey. The match always looked like needing a piece of brilliance and it certainly was from the former Glentoran man.
MATCH STATS
26: YELLOW – (Portadown) Thompson
44: YELLOW – (Ballymena United) Archer
H-T: Ballymena United 0 Portadown 0
58: SUB – (Ballymena United) Murray replaces Leetch
62: GOAL – Ballymena United 1 (Thorndike) Portadown 0
The Sky Blues take the lead as Finley Thorndike picks up the ball inside the area and arrows a shot into the far corner.
67: SUB – (Portadown) Scott replaces Flangan
77: SUBS – (Portadown) Teelan, Fyfe and Obhakhan replace Carson, King and Thompson
82: GOAL – Ballymena United 2 (Rutkowski) Portadown 0
The clincher for the Sky Blues as substitute Sean Murray plays in Igor Rutkowski and he makes no mistake with a great finish.
84: SUB – (Portadown) Falls replaces Kennedy
F-T: Ballymena United 2 Portadown 0
BALLYMENA UNITED: David Walsh, David Toure, Micheal Glynn, Fuad Sule, Joshua Archer, Igor Rutkowski, Finley Thorndike, Daithi McCallion, Michael Leetch (Sean Murray, 58), Caoimhin McConnell.
Subs: Declan Breen (GK), Christopher McKee, Shane McEleney, Stephen Fallon, Conor Burns, Ben MacManus.
PORTADOWN: Aaron McCarey, Divin Isamala, Matthew Carson (James Teelan, 77), Baris Altintop, Lee Chapman, Rhys Breen, Sean O’Mahoney King (Eamon Fyfe 77), Michael Hewitt, Gary Thompson (Ahu Obhakhan, 77), Ben Kennedy (Conor Falls, 84), Finn Flanagan (Jack Scott, 67).
Subs: Jamie Barry (GK), Adam Towe.
Referee: Shane Andrews
TALKING POINTS
Portadown will be left wondering how they failed to score in the first half as Sean O’Mahoney King and Baris Altintop both had big chances to make the breakthrough – but to no avail.
The game need a moment of magic and it duly arrived with Finley Thorndike’s superb finish for the opener, with Igor Rutkowski’s second for the Braidmen another easy goal on the eye.
It’s hard to believe this is Ballymena’s first Premiership win since the opening day of the campaign at Linfield, whilst Portadown will be determined to get up and running with their first win as soon as possible.
SPECIAL MENTION
BALLYMENA UNITED: Sean Murray was only on the pitch for more than 30 minutes but he gave the Sky Blues energy – especially in the attacking third. He was heavily involved in the second goal as his pass slipped in Igor Rutkowski who made no mistake.
PORTADOWN: Like his central defensive partner Isamala, Portadown ace Baris Altintop was also a commanding presence at the back for the visitors.