Ballymena hold on to take home win against Glenavon

BALLYMENA United got the better of Glenavon in an end-to-end Danske Bank Premiership tussle at the Showgrounds.

Glenavon wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring on 19 minutes when Matty Burrows broke the offside trap but as he tried to round Dwayne Nelson, the United keeper got a hand to the ball, pushing the striker wide and forcing him to shoot into the side netting.

At the other end, following a similar one-on-one position, Ally Teggart’s effort came off the legs of Glenavon keeper before United took the lead on 31 minutes.

Teggart’s corner found Davy Munster at the back post and when the big defender’s header came back off the inside of the post, the ball cannoned into the net off unfortunate Glenavon defender Sean McCashin.

Teggart again failed to beat Coleman with a one-on-one while David Cushley’s deflected effort came off the outside of the post as United dominated the opening half.

Glenavon bossed the early stages of the second period but Ballymena looked dangerous on the counter-attack with Davidson latching onto a long ball from Davy Munster but once again being unable to find a way past Coleman.

Glenavon got back on level terms on 70 minutes when Kyle Neill swung in a corner to the near post where defender Richard Vauls’ headed clearance ricocheted off Conor Hagan and into the net for an equaliser.

But Glenavon were behind again within 30 seconds as, straight from the re-start, Ballymena broke down the left and David Cushley’s driven cross was diverted in by Alan Teggart.

Glenavon almost forced an equaliser in stoppage time but Hagan was unable to bundle the ball over the goal-line in a frantic goalmouth scramble.

Ballymena United: Nelson, Kane, Munster, Stewart, Black (sub Vauls 61), Taggart, Thompson (sub A Davidson 74), Surgenor, Teggart, Cushley, J Davidson (sub Lowry 63). Subs: Ruddy, McCabe.

Glenavon: Coleman, McCallion, Haughey, Brown (sub Turkington 46), Hagan, Kilmartin, Doherty (sub McGrory 61), Neill, Bates, Burrows (sub Hamilton 66). Subs (not used): Dane, White.

Referee: Nick Pratt (Wales).