United’s struggle no child’s play for new dad Tony

The arrival of baby Bradain just over a week ago has been a welcome distraction from the ups and downs of Ballymena United’s season for the committed full-back.

While Tony and partner Ashleen - along with goalkeeper Dwayne Nelson, who also became a father within the past week - get to grips with the new experiences of parenthood, matters on the pitch have had an all-too-familiar feel.

A midweek struggle to see off Donegal Celtic in the County Antrim Shield followed by Saturday’s setback at home to Warrenpoint Town illustrates that United’s habit of dropping points in games they are expected to win is no nearer a cure.

“It’s back to the drawing board,” sighed Kane, the only player to have started every United match this season.

“Losing to Warrenpoint was as much a disappointment as when we lost to Ards because we need to be beating teams like those.

“The big games we seem to do well in, they are the ones we put in good performances.

“The coaching staff were saying we dropped 27 points last season to teams in the bottom six so I’m sure they are pulling their hair out. I know I am because it hurts.

“It’s not for want of preparation on the part of the coaching staff because they have been brilliant. We just can’t put our finger on what the reason is.

“It’s still early in the season but was another missed opportunity for us.

“We have enough quality in the squad but we are going to have to step up to the plate between now and the end of the season.

We have big games coming up - Ballinamallard twice, in both the league and the League Cup and then Coleraine which is something we have to rectify.

“I haven’t won one of those ‘derby’ games in the time I’ve been at Ballymena and it’s doing my head in.

“We need to get points on the board and to get a bit of a run going.

“We just don’t seem to have been able to hit the net regularly enough - it has been the story of our season so far.

“The sooner the next game comes the better to put right what happened on Saturday,” added Kane.