VIDEO: Ferguson pleased with opening day victory

Glenn Ferguson believes Ballymena United will benefit from having a stronger ‘spine’ this season.
Ballymena United striker Matthew Tipton stretches to win a header during Saturday's win over Warrenpoint Town. Picture: Press Eye.Ballymena United striker Matthew Tipton stretches to win a header during Saturday's win over Warrenpoint Town. Picture: Press Eye.
Ballymena United striker Matthew Tipton stretches to win a header during Saturday's win over Warrenpoint Town. Picture: Press Eye.

The Sky Blues manager feels the arrivals of centre forward Matthew Tipton and central defender Kyle McVey, along with the return from long-term injury of goalkeeper Dwayne Nelson will significantly boost his side’s chances of success.

“You need the spine of your team to be strong,” said Ferguson after watching his team defeat Warrenpoint Town 2-0 in their Danske Bank Premiership opener.

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“We have Matthew Tipton up front, Allan Jenkins in midfield, Kyle McVey and Johnny Taylor looked strong in the centre of defence and Dwayne looked as comfortable and as confident as he has done for over a year.

Ballymena United striker Matthew Tipton stretches to win a header during Saturday's win over Warrenpoint Town. Picture: Press Eye.Ballymena United striker Matthew Tipton stretches to win a header during Saturday's win over Warrenpoint Town. Picture: Press Eye.
Ballymena United striker Matthew Tipton stretches to win a header during Saturday's win over Warrenpoint Town. Picture: Press Eye.

“Having a good spine is important and if everyone else gels in around them, you’ll win matches.

“We had stressed to the players that we need to be taking points off the teams around us and below us in the table.

“In the first half we could probably have been five up. We played really well for a 20-minute spell and our set-piece delivery was good and we had players attacking the ball.

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“At 2-0 we were disappointed in the way we kept inviting them on. We seemed to think the job was done instead of keeping doing what we were doing. But for the first match, we’ve got to be happy to keep a clean sheet and pick up three points.

“I was delighted with the way we shifted the ball from side to side and how we created space. When Neal Gawley got on the ball, nine times out of 10 he put a good delivery into the box which created chances for us.

“If we have two strikers, another midfielder joining in and either the left or right winger joining in, more bodies in the box we should score more goals. Once it breaks down, it’s all about getting the shape back and we’ve drilled that into them in pre-season.”