Ballymena United 4, Portadown 0

Ballymena United stormed into the semi-finals of the League Cup after a stunning demolition of Portadown.
Ballymena United's Aaron Stewart clears a cross into his box during tonight's League Cup quarter-final against Portadown.Ballymena United's Aaron Stewart clears a cross into his box during tonight's League Cup quarter-final against Portadown.
Ballymena United's Aaron Stewart clears a cross into his box during tonight's League Cup quarter-final against Portadown.

The Sky Blues produced one of their best performances under Glenn Ferguson with a comprehensive success against a hugely disappointing Portadown outfit.

United took a seventh minute lead in bizarre circumstances.

Awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal, David Cushley’s shot took a slight nick off the defensive wall but it was somehow enough to wrong-foot the Ports keeper, who let the ball go through his legs as he stood on the goal-line.

The keeper atoned for that mistake with a fabulous save to prevent Allan Jenkins from doubling United’s advantage on 21 minutes, diving to his left to brilliantly turn the skipper’s shot behind for a corner after Tony Kane had released the Scot with a pinpoint through ball.

Portadown’s first real opening came on the half hour when Tim Mouncey played in Gary Twigg but the striker’s effort was kept out by the feet of Stuart Addis.

Twigg had another opening a few minutes later but his downward header from Darren Murray’s left-wing cross bounced harmlessly through to Addis.

On the stroke of half-time Cushley almost knocked Miskelly off his feet with a fierce volley with the keeper doing well to make a strong two-handed block.

Ballymena continued to apply pressure in the second period with Tony Kane’s low shot turned unconvincingly behind by Miskelly.

And United’s dominance eventually led to a second goal on 58 minutes.

Jenkins released Tony Kane down the right flank and as he bore down on Miskelly’s goal, he unselfishly squared the ball for Mark Surgenor to blast home his first goal of the season from close range.

Miskelly’s topsy-turvy evening continued as he produced another top-notch save to claw away David Cushley’s shot, which was arrowing into the top corner.

Portadown’s evening was summed up as manager Ronnie McFall took off talisman Kevin Braniff, who reacted angrily to the decision before storming off down the tunnel.

Portadown tried to find a way back into the game but Darren Murray’s looping header from Chris Ramsey’s cross only dropped onto the top of the net.

United wrapped up victory with four minutes left when Gary Thompson picked up the ball inside his own half and ran50 yards before curling a shot beyond Miskelly.

The Ports keeper’s miserable night was completed in stoppage time when he brought down Cushley just inside the area.

Miskelly was booked and Alan Teggart fired the resultant spot kick high into the roof of the net.

Ballymena United: Addis, McCullagh, Taylor, Munster, Stewart, Kane, Surgenor (sub Dolan 83), Thompson, Cushley, Jenkins (sub Ruddy 88), Teggart. Subs (not used): Liggett, McLellan, Nelson.

Miskelly, Casement, Breen, Friars (sub Traynor 77), O’Connor (sub Mouncey 27), McMahon, Ramsey, McCafferty, Braniff (sub McStay 67), Murray, Twigg. Subs: Brennan, Barton.

Referee: Ross Dunlop (Carrickfergus)

Related topics: