Win double for Reserves

CLIFFORD Adams enjoyed a dream first week in charge of Ballymena United Reserves with victories in league and cup games.

During the week, the Reserves came from 2-1 down to defeat Lisburn Distillery II 4-2 in their opening league game.

Despite Aaron Boyd’s 17th minute opener, United trailed 2-1 at the break before Neil Lowry levelled matters shortly after the interval.

A superb individual goal from Michael Smith put Ballymena ahead shortly after the hour mark and Ballykeel teenager Lowry completed the victory with his second goal 12 minutes from time.

Reserves: Nelson, Price, Munster, Gage, Reid, Murray, Black, Carson, Smith, Boyd, Lowry. Subs: Quigley (80), Davidson (65), McKee (73), Harris.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Reserves progressed to the second round of the Steel & Sons Cup with a 3-2 extra-time win over Amateur League Donard Hospital.

With nine 17-year-olds in the starting line-up, the Reserves fell behind but Jamie Davidson restored parity early in the second half.

A 30-yard Donard strike with 12 minutes left looked as though it might spell the end of the Reserves’ cup dreams but when a corner was only half-cleared, centre-back Craig McDowell fired in an unstoppable volley from the end of the box to take the tie to extra-time.

There, Paddy Deboys, like McDowell a product of United associate club Carniny Youth, slotted past the on-rushing keeper for what proved the winner, while Denver Gage hit the crossbar late on.

Reserves: Maybin, Harris (sub Gillan 67), Gage, McDowell, Agnew, McKee, Fleming, Reid, Davidson (sub Deboys 78), Lowry, Smith (sub Price 35). Subs (not used): C Gillan, Duffin.