GLENAVON LOSES AT BALLYMENA

GLENAVON LOSES AT BALLYMENA 2g4a44

Ballymena United 3 Glenavon 1 1q6k73

Sports Direct Irish Premiership 6s2c36

The Showgrounds, Warden Street, Ballymena

Friday 30th August 2024

An injury-ravaged Glenavon side lost 3-1 to Jim Ervin’s new-look Ballymena United team.

Former Crusaders striker Ben Kennedy (14, 21, 49 mins), one of Ervin’s summer recruits, scored a fine hat-trick. The impressive Keith Ward (33 mins) replied for the visitors.

The home side took the lead barely ninety seconds after Glenavon was forced to replace Harry Lynch with Jamie Doran. Lynch, an outstanding performer in the 2-0 success at Coleraine, was the victim of a hard tackle by Johnny McMurray. Doran went into midfield with James Carroll moving into defence.

Whilst Stephen McDonnell’s side was re-adjusting Andrew Scott beat Len O’Sullivan on the right and whipped over a cross which Kennedy stooped to head past Gareth Deane.

At the other end O’Sullivan and Dornan combined well on the left but the young defender overhit his cross from a promising position.

In the 21st minute Ballymena doubled its lead. McCurry and Brown did the spadework on the left. When the ball came to Kennedy his attempted flick to the edge of the penalty area was inadvertently headed back into his path by Barney McKeown. The talented frontman took one touch before beating Deane with a low left-foot shot.

James Doona, Glenavon’s most lively forward during the first half, shot just wide from 20 yards. A few minutes later he made a penetrating run, cut inside but again directed his attempt the wrong side of an upright. In the 30th minute the former League of Ireland man blasted over from 16 yards.

After Chris Atherton, still only 15 years old, was fouled 22-23 yards out from goal, Keith Ward took the free-kick and beat Sam Johnston with a right foot curling shot. The ball struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced inside the goal. It was a brilliant strike.

Johnny McMurray almost extended Ballymena’s lead when he headed Calvin McCurry’s cross inches over the bar.

Atherton broke on the right and crossed to the back post where Doona was waiting. However, he elected not to shoot and misdirected a into the path of a defender.

Ballymena scored its third goal and Kennedy completed his hat-trick early in the second half. McCurry crossed from the left, McMurray headed the ball down and the number nine beat Deane with a deft left foot shot.

Glenavon did not allow its heads to drop and continued to push forward. However, it failed to test the goalkeeper even once.

James Doona was through on goal when his jersey seemed to be pulled. Surprisingly, the referee awarded the free kick to the home side.

McCurry should have scored Ballymena’s fourth goal in the 67th minute. He was clear of the last defender with only Deane to beat but curled the ball wide of a post.

James Carroll headed over from a Ward corner and Doran shot wildly when well placed. Finally, substitute Paul McGovern flicked Doona’s cross narrowly wide.

BALLYMENA UNITED: Johnston, Nelson, Lafferty, Rocks, Scott, O’Donnell, McCurry, Brown, McMurray, Kennedy, Carson, SUBS: Davidson (not used), Gawne for Kennedy (73 mins), Place for Scott (72 mins), Loughran for, McCallion for O’Donnell (73 mins), Stewart for McMurray (87 mins), Hood (not used).

Yellow Cards: Rocks (30’), Lafferty (45+3’).

GLENAVON: Deane, Toure, O’Sullivan, McKeown, Lynch, Snoddy, Carroll, Ward, McDaid, Atherton, Doona, SUBS: Byrne (not used), O’Connor for Atherton (53 mins), Doran for Lynch (13 mins), McGovern for Toure (73 mins), Brady (not used), Wilson (not used), McGerrigan (not used).