Josh Archer has already scored more Premiership goals in 11 matches for Ballymena United than he managed in 77 for former club Linfield – and admits an attacking licence was one of the key reasons behind his summer switch.

Archer was one of five players who swapped Windsor Park – where he played a key role in Linfield’s 2024/25 title joy – for The Showgrounds during the most recent transfer window and has wasted no time in making an impact.

Typically deployed in a deeper position at the Blues, the presence of Fuad Sule in Ballymena’s midfield has allowed Archer to progress further up the pitch to great effect.

Archer enters Saturday’s home clash with Bangor – the same opposition he scored his first club goal against in September – having struck in each of his last two outings for Oran Kearney’s side.

placeholder image — Josh Archer has made an impressive start to life at Ballymena United. (Photo by Pacemaker)

The former Northern Ireland U21 international felt the time was right for a change of scenery last summer and has already matched his best-ever Premiership season goal return, which was three while on loan at Portadown during the 2022/23 campaign.

However, Archer certainly isn’t resting on his laurels amid a personal target for further improvement.

"It probably was difficult (to leave Linfield), but I knew that I needed something to progress me as a player,” Archer told the News Letter. “I think it was the right move.

"That was another big reason (for the move), Oran gives me the licence to get forward and I've chipped in with a few goals and assists, hopefully I can keep that run going and continue to do that.

"When I was younger, I was an attacking midfielder, more of a number eight, a box-to-box type of player, and Oran is letting me do that, which is enjoyable.

"It’s probably very similar (to my time at Portadown), Niall (Currie) gave me the opportunity to do that and now the same with Oran, I think that's where I'm best.

"Oran and all of the staff have been great with me. I think they're getting the best out of me, but I still think I've more to get to...they're pushing me in the right direction.”

Ballymena started the season with a statement 3-0 victory away at Linfield but then failed to win any of their following six league matches.

However, they’ve now picked up three wins across their last four – the sole blemish came in a 3-2 defeat to Limavady United, a game they led 2-0 – and Archer believes a new-look squad is starting to hit its stride.

"I think we're getting there,” added Archer. “We've had a couple of tough results, games that we should be winning, especially a couple where we have been up by one or two and threw it away, which was disappointing.

"But I think over the last couple of weeks, we're starting to do both sides of the game. We're scoring more goals now and we're keeping it out of the net more.

"Hopefully we can continue to do that, we want to just keep putting the points on the board and see where it takes us.”