Ballymena United on song to see off Glentoran

Goals from the experienced Tony Kane and Ross Redman sent Mick McDermott’s side crashing to their first League home defeat in 12 months.

The east Belfast side approached the game in the best possible shape, having racked up six successive League wins, but United were in no mood to be intimidated.

They mastered the horrible weather conditions superbly well and deservedly added the three points to the Danske Bank Premiership tally.

Alarmingly, Glentoran now find themselves a whopping 12 points behind table-topping Linfield.

Even though home team were playing against a biting wind and non-stop rain, Jay Donnelly wasted no time in trying his luck after being sent clear by Conor McMenamin, only to see his shot drift high and wide.

United took full advantage of the elements and were happy to contain the goal-hungry home front three. Indeed, the Glens didn’t threaten again until 25 minutes.

This time McMenamin picked out the other Donnelly – Ruaidhri – and, when he shot across the face of the goal, the alert Trai Hume got back to mop up.

After that, the Glens upped the ante. McMenamin becoming a constant threat, cut in for the right before arrowing in a tremendous 25-yard shot that goalkeeper Jordan Williamson did superbly well to finger-tip over the crossbar.

The Glens then roared forward in numbers. Ruaidhri Donnelly threaded a clever pass into the path of McMenamin and, after wriggling free on the by-line, his low drive was bravely blocked by United skipper Jim Ervin.

Even with wind advantage, United had to wait until 35 minutes before getting a sniff of goal at the other end.

Kane’s 40-yard free kick from wide on the left caused all shorts of mayhem in the Glens penalty box, before skipper Marcus Kane managed to hoof the ball dangerously over his own crossbar.

But it was only a reprieve for the home team. Kane took the resulting corner kick and he whipped it straight into the net, over the head of Dayle Coleing.

Buoyed by that strike, midfielder James Knowles then let fly with a low 20 -yard shot that Coleing was relieved to see fizz past the post.

United could have extended the lead seconds before the whistle. Ross Redman’s corner was headed back into the six-yard box by Conor Keeley, but Coleing saved just when Joe McCready was about to tap home.

And, Jeffrey’s team could have extended their lead on 53 minutes when an eye-catching move involving Knowles and Ryan Waide, resulted in McCready curling a low shot into the glove of the diving Coleing.

McDermott decided to change his formation, introducing Ciaran O’Connor – for Caolan Marron – and within seconds, the midfielder sent Ruaidhri Donnelly hurtling into the box, but Williamson was out quickly to save.

But it was United who struck a decisive second goal on 62 minutes. Once more, Kane was the orchestrator. His in-swinging corner kick travelled right across the face of the goal and Redman tapped in from practically on the goal line.

Glentoran attempted to salvage the situation by introducing strike Robbie McDaid. It almost paid a dividend when he sent in a delicious cross that was met by McMenamin, who headed wide of a gaping goal.

United should have been out of sight with 16 minutes left.

Jude Winchester sent the strong running Paul McElory clear and after out-pacing Paddy McClean and Luke McCullough, he could only drag his shot wide.

GLENTORAN: Coleing, Marron (O’Connor 53), McCullough, McClean, Kane, Marshall, Gallagher (McDaid 64), Plum (Gorman 83), R Donnelly, J Donnelly, McMenamin. Subs not used: Brown, Bigirimana, McDonagh, Stewart.

BALLYMENA UNITED: Williamson, Hume, Ervin, Keeley, Redman, Waide, Kane (Kelly 86, Knowles (Winchester 66), McElroy, Graham, McCready. Subs not used: Glendinning, McCartan, McGrory, Wylie, Beattie.

REFEREE: Raymond Crangle (Belfast).

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