Gibson in 'Rich' vein of scoring form

The big striker's summer arrival, on a free transfer from rivals Coleraine, was greeted with a mixture of apathy and disenchantment by United supporters, still reeling from manager Roy Walker's decision to axe terrace idol Kevin Kelbie just a few days earlier.

Fast forward a few months and it looks a shrewd piece of business on Walker's part.

'Gibbo' is already a favourite with the fans and while his physical presence makes his the perfect foil for Gary McCutcheon, he has also chipped in with five goals.

Interestingly, in the five games in which Gibson has scored – against Glenavon, Glentoran, Donegal Celtic, Portadown and now Ards – United went on to win all of them – not a bad record!

"Richard has always had a good goalscoring record – he's decent in front of goal," insists Walker.

"What he didn't do at other clubs was play enough games because he's had a few bad injuries in his career but when he plays, his record is good – that's what drew me to him in the first place."

Gibson's latest goal – a trademark thumping header from a Nathan Hanley free kick - could scarcely have been better timed, as it finally broke down the dogged resistance of the Championship side with eight minutes to go, before Michael Smith added a third late on to cement Ballymena's place in Wednesday's quarter-final draw.

Earlier, United had gone ahead when Ards defender Gary Spence bulleted a header from Hanley's corner into his own net, before Gary McCutcheon added to Ballymena's fitful recent record from the penalty spot when he skied effort which might have sealed the game at an early stage.

Instead, it allowed Ards a way back in and Sam Devine levelled just after the half-hour when he scooped an effort over Dwayne Nelson from the 'D' of the penalty area.

"It was mission accomplished. I didn't think we got out of second or third gear," admitted Walker.

"What frustrated me was in the wide areas where we got the ball in good positions but we checked back and let Ards re-group.

"We missed too many chances and made it hard for ourselves – not least with the penalty miss.

"We deliberately had a stronger bench than starting line-up in a sense. I wanted to be able to make the changes if we had to – which we did.

"I didn't think Andy Smith would have been able to come into a game and influence it positively so I thought I would start him and see how he went.

"The changes we made at half-time were positive and that helped us.

"Eamonn was flu-bound during the week and he came off feeling sick but his wee cameo was worth it.

"Surgy coming on also allowed Michael to move that wee bit further forward and we had a better feel about us in the second half.

"We scored from two set-pieces and we should have scored from another two, all straight off the training ground – Nathan Hanley's delivery was superb," added Roy.

Ballymena United: Nelson, M Smith, Watson, Gage, Colligan, McDowell (sub Murray 46, sub Stewart 85), Haveron, Hanley, A Smith (sub Surgenor 46), McCutcheon, Gibson. Subs (not used): Berry, Lowry.

Ards: Kerr, Nixon, Spence, Lockhart (sub Collins 66), D Devine, Picking (sub McKee 79), McIlhagga, Wright, S Devine, Doyle (sub Boylan 85), Fitzgerald. Subs (not used): Neill, Wilson.

Referee: Arnold Hunter (Maguiresbridge).