Back to winning ways in league for Roesiders

For the second season running United scored four on their visit to the Comrades and it certainly didn't flatter the visitors.

The Roesiders were the better team from start to finish and the only down point was the late goal they conceded.

Lee Patrick and Paul Owens gave Limavady a two goal cushion. Niall Cooke and Trevor Hutchinson further extended the lead before Kevin Lynch's late consolation.

As you would expect the home side had the early chances but neither Mark McClelland nor Simon McGowan troubled Michael Doherty.

The deadlock was broken in the 10th minute when Owens free-kick was met by Patrick and his header ended up in the net although home keeper Paul Hughes should have dealt with it much better.

Three minutes later Ronnie Burns had a chance for the home side but his effort was tipped away by Doherty.

United went further in front with seventeen minutes gone. Hutchinson's pace was too much for Darren Munster who upended the striker and Owens made no mistake from the penalty spot.

The visitors thought they were further ahead a minute before the interval. Hutchinson played in Cooke who rounded the keeper and rolled the ball home only for the referee to bizarrely rule the goal out.

Ballyclare started the second half the same as the first but once again Scott Irvine saw two headers miss the target by quite a distance.

The Roesiders extended their advantage in the 60th minute with the goal of the game. Owens skipped past his marker before delivering an inch perfect cross which Cooke headed into the top corner of the net.

Doherty was eventually called into action seven minutes later when he did well to save Andy Forsythe's thunderbolt.

In the 69th minute Hutchinson almost broke clear of the home defence but Stuart McCullough just about managed to get a block in.

Only a minute later 'Hutchy' did grab a goal however. He picked Forsythe's pocket and easily beat the keeper when he burst through on goal.

United continued to apply the pressure and Ciaran Clarke cross for Owens but the midfielders right foot shot was off target.

With twelve minutes remaining Owens took a clever quick free-kick and Cooke was unlucky to see his effort saved although Hughes in the home goal didn't know too much about it.

In the 79th minute the Roesiders came close again. Substitute Peter Spratt's free-kick was deflected narrowly wide. The scramble from the resultant corner in which Shane Jennings and Kevin Roddy both saw efforts blocked ended with Spratt firing over.

Spratt was the hero at the other end three minutes later when he cleared off his own line after a quick Ballyclare counter attack.

With four minutes remaining United substitutes Conleth McCaughan and Shane Jennings combined but the latter's shot was miscued although McCaughan probably should have been selfish.

Ballyclare pulled a goal back in the final minute when Lynch scored after United failed to clear properly.

Ballyclare Comrades: Hughes, Holland, Munster, McCullough, Forsythe, Armstrong, Irvine, McGowan, McClelland, Burns, Simms.

Subs: Reid for Holland (64mins), Lynch for Burns (69mins), McDowd for Irvine (75mins), Adams & Bainbridge (Unused).

Limavady United: Doherty, Walsh, McKeever, Roddy, McNulty, Patrick, Owens, McKenna, Cooke, Hutchinson, Clarke.

Subs: Spratt & Jennings for McKenna & Hutchinson (71mins), McCaughan for Cooke (85mins), Harkin & Friel (Unused).

Referee: Paul Causby (Dundonald).

Cautioned: Forsythe (17mins), McNulty (44mins), McClelland (59mins), McCullough (78mins)