Ballymena United 1, Dungannon Swifts 2

A makeshift Ballymena United side fell to defeat against Dungannon in an largely forgettable encounter this afternoon.
Ballymena United's Leroy Millar and Michael Ruddy prusue Dungannon's
Jamie Glackin during Saturday's match at the SHowgrounds. Picture: Press Eye.Ballymena United's Leroy Millar and Michael Ruddy prusue Dungannon's
Jamie Glackin during Saturday's match at the SHowgrounds. Picture: Press Eye.
Ballymena United's Leroy Millar and Michael Ruddy prusue Dungannon's Jamie Glackin during Saturday's match at the SHowgrounds. Picture: Press Eye.

The Tyrone side enjoyed their first victory in five outings against United with a deserved win against an unfamiliar-looking Sky Blues panel, which struggled to find any cohesion or rhythm.

United boss Glenn Ferguson opted for a safety first approach with next week’s Irish Cup semi-final against Queen’s in mind, changing all 11 players from last week’s win against Glenavon.

The new-look line-up included a debut for central defender Caolan Loughran, while midfielder Leroy Millar and striker Mark Kelly made their first starts after previous sub appearances.

Dungannon created the first opening inside two minutes when Ryan Harpur beat the United offside trap but he delayed in laying the ball off to former Ballymena striker Gary Liggett, who blazed his shot over the bar.

There was a moment of concern after six minutes as Kelly was knocked to the ground after being struck in the face with the ball from a clearance by Dungannon keeper Berraat Turker.

The goalkeeper immediately shouted to referee Ian McNabb to alert the referee to the situation and turned the stricken striker onto his side to prevent any danger of the Ballymena player swallowing his tongue.

After prompt attention from sports therapist Suzanne Rollins and club doctor Stephen McCurdy, the striker was able to continue.

A nondescript opening half hour came to life on 28 minutes when, from a quickly taken free kick, Ryan Harpur’s low drive was kept out by the legs of Cairns, whose body weight was taking him in the opposite direction.

A minute later, his opposite number Turker produced a similar stop, keeping out Gavin Taggart’s effort with his feet after the midfielder had been played in by Mark Kelly.

Dungannon took the lead on 32 minutes. After having been sliced open down their right hand side, there appeared to be real danger as the ball fell to Matt Hazley, just inside the penalty area. That danger looked to have been averted as the midfielder dragged his shot wide of the goal but the in-rushing Liggett was on hand to divert it high into the net at the back post.

The Tyrone side should have doubled their advantage three minutes later when Mark Brolly blazed wildly over when well-placed on the edge of the penalty area.

Cairns once again saved United three minutes before the break, blocking a close-range Liggett effort after United had been guilty of over-playing inside their own penalty area.

United lost left-back Michael Ruddy to injury early in the second half, the defender falling to the ground after being caught in a three-player collision, prompting urgent medical response again. Thankfully, he was able to walk from the field, albeit groggily.

The visitors added a second goal on 69 minutes when David McCullough’s through ball evaded the stretching David Munster leaving Ryan Harpur clean through on goal to blast a shot past the exposed Cairns.

United did have the ball in the net a minute later but Mark Kelly’s effort was ruled out after the referee’s assistant adjudged that the striker had handled the ball in the build-up.

United came close again when Caolan Loughran got on the end of Eoin Kane’s cross-shot but he was only able to fire straight at Turker.

The defender came close to marking his first appearance with a goal as he warmed Turker’s palms with a 30-yard free-kick, while Leroy Millar had a shot deflected behind for a corner.

Ballymena pulled a goal back in freakish fashion in injury time as Neal Gawley scored directly from a corner kick, his delivery catching on the wind and floating beyond Turker and in at the far post.

Ballymena United: Cairns, McCullagh, Loughran, Munster, Ruddy (sub McCabe 54), Gawley, Davidson (sub E Kane 46), Taggart, Millar, Kelly, McLellan (sub Lowry 64). Subs (not used): T Kane, Stewart.

Dungannon Swifts: Turker, McCullough, Brennan, McCashin, Grieve, Glackin (sub Lavery 88), Harpur, Fitzpatrick, Hazley (sub Lowe 73), Liggett, Brolly. Subs (not used): Topley, Copeland, McCaffrey.

Referee: Ian McNabb (Glengormley)

* See Tuesday’s Ballymena Times for full reaction.