ALLEN’S BOLT FROM THE BLUE

The Bannsiders front man scored the first goal of the Danske Bank Premiership and followed it up with a Usain Bolt style celebration, but he is eyeing more revelry throughout the season.

“Coming into the first game of the season you are hoping to get a win and maybe a goal so to do it is brilliant,” he told Times Sport.

“I think the early goal helped settled us and to go into the break 2-0 up we were cruising.

“The tactics today were absolutely spot on.

“We suffered a few disappointments at the hands of the Crues last season, and perhaps we played into their hands a bit in those games.

“They are a big strong side and we know how they like to go about their business.

“But fair play to Oran he obviously sat down and thought how we could approach this game differently and it worked, they ran out of ideas.

“Pre-season has obviously helped us too we are certainly a lot fitter and I think that showed today also.”

Allen picked up the Man of the Match plaudits for his tireless running up front on his own, although he admitted he was taken aback when asked to perform the role.

“It’s tough to play up there on your own and when Oran said to me about it I though to myself is this wise, but to be honest it played to my strengths and I got some good chances to score,” he admitted.

“And if I’m scoring goals then I’m happy.”

“Doc played a fantastic ball over the top and I couldn’t believe they had missed it. Hopefully I’ll get a few more during the season.

“It’s going to be another tough one this Saturday. Linfield will be right up for it especially after losing today. Davy will be pressing home on them how important it will be for them to pick up three points on Saturday.

“But you never go to Windsor Park thinking you’re going to get an easy game. However we have to go with the same mentality, work rate and tactics as today.

“Getting the win today though takes the pressure off us a bit though. Last season we had to wait for the first win and it just dragged on and on and made you anxious until you got it.

“And personally I wanted to get off the mark as well so it was a win win day all round.”

And what of those celebrations? “It was just a homage to the great Mr Bolt,” explained Allen. “Although Stevie Lowry got a bit over-excited and spoiled it,” he joked.