One year on, United progress has been slow

Ordinarily I would struggle to recall what I was at last week never mind 12 months ago but the events of this particular week in 2012 remain firmly ingrained on my memory.

It’s hard to believe it’s a year this week - Thursday, if you go by the exact date - since Ballymena United rid themselves of a King Kong-sized monkey off their backs by winning the County Antrim Shield.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the bizarre scenario of the postponement of this year’s final due to a ticketing row meaning that even though they are out of the competition, Ballymena will now remain as the defending champions of the trophy into the new year.

I had visions of one of those American ringside boxing announcers shouting: “And stiiiiiiiiiiilllllllll the county Antrim Shield holders...”

What has followed from the Shield success has been much less satisfying, although there are at least signs of light at the end of that tunnel.

In the 45 matches played since that night at the Oval, Ballymena’s record reads 16 wins, eight draws and 21 defeats.

When you consider that three of those wins were against Championship opposition in knockout competitions, it’s difficult not to come to the conclusion that the period between December 2013 and November 2013 has been a virtual write-off for the club, in terms of progression.

Back in the here and now, though, and things are certainly looking up.

People will say that Ballymena should be expecting to beat the Ards and Warrenpoint’s of this world - the obvious counter-argument being that they DIDN’T earlier in the season.

The fact that Glenn Ferguson has been unable to name an unchanged line-up in three successive games is a rare luxury for any manager and it surely must help to have people in the same roles each week, with the same people around them and everyone knowing what everyone’s specific role is.

Ballymena made heavy weather of Saturday’s win at Warrenpoint, although I didn’t at any point feel they were in danger of relinquishing a two-goal lead.

The added bonus for many United fans was that the win saw the Sky Blues leap-frog Coleraine in the league table.

While I’m fully aware of banter between rival fans, anyone crowing about the fact that Ballymena and Coleraine - two provincial clubs whose aspiration should be to challenge the Belfast clubs - have exchanged positions needs to start looking at the bigger picture.

If vying between ninth and 10th positions in a 12-team league is the extent of what they can achieve this season, then both clubs need to improve significantly in the second half of the campaign.

* Follow Ballymena Times Sports Editor Stephen Alexander on Twitter (@Stephen_Bmena).