Thirds' first-class cup triumph

Melvyn Logan's side produced a stunning upset to hammer favourites Glentoran Colts 3-0 in the final at Crewe Park, Glenavy.

It's the seconds piece of major silverware won by the Showgrounds youth team inside two seasons, after landing the IFA Harry Cavan Youth Cup the previous year, and bodes well for United's future prospects.

"Our boys did really, really well - they were excellent from front to back," Melvyn told Times Sport.

"We set our stall out early on and didn't allow Glentoran to take control of the game."

United took the lead on 20 minutes when the ball broke to Ross Nelson inside the penalty area and when his shot was parried by the keeper, Lee McCaughern was on hand to turn home the loose ball.

United spurned other chances to extend their lead and at half-time, the score remained 1-0.

"Glentoran came at us for 15 minutes at the start of the second half without causing us any major problems - our keeper Marc Maybin only had one save to make in the whole game," said Melvyn.

United put the game beyond the reach of their east Belfast opponents with 20 minutes left with a superb individual goal from Ross Nelson.

The striker - who made his first team debut at the end of the season - picked up the ball just inside his own half, turned a defender and his pace took him clear to fire the second.

Midfielder Michael Smith - not to be confused with his first team namesake - put the gloss on the result by adding a third near the end.

"It was a great achievement and the fact that 14 out of the panel of 16 players had played for Ballymena United Youth Academy at some stage illustrates what the club is trying to do," added Melvyn.

"Some of these players will now go into the Reserves and hopefully make it to the first team," he added.

United Thirds: Marc Maybin, Jamie Craig, Chris Rodgers, William Holland, Kieran McKenna, Lee McCaughern, Dermot McWilliams, Peter McReynolds, Michael Smith, Ross Nelson, John Lockhart. Subs: Corey Price, David Reid, Richard Donaghy, Neil Lowry, Jamie Davidson.

United Thirds completed their league campaign with a 1-0 win against Portadown and a 2-2 draw with Ballinamallard during the week.