Ballymena United 2, Glenavon 1

Darren Boyce scored twice as Ballymena United defeated fellow Irish Cup semi-finalists Glenavon at the Showgrounds.
Ballymena's Allan Jenkins in action against Glenavon's Brian McCaul during today's match at the SHowgrounds. Picture: Press Eye.Ballymena's Allan Jenkins in action against Glenavon's Brian McCaul during today's match at the SHowgrounds. Picture: Press Eye.
Ballymena's Allan Jenkins in action against Glenavon's Brian McCaul during today's match at the SHowgrounds. Picture: Press Eye.

While both sides could have been forgiven for having their minds on their respective April 5 dates, they produced an entertaining game in the last match before the Danske Bank Premiership ‘split’

United came close to opening the scoring on 12 minutes.

Tony Kane’s long throw from the right flank fell to Mark Surgenor’s feet on the edge of the six yard box. The midfielder turned sharply but his close-range effort was blocked by the body of Glenavon keeper James McGrath.

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Glenavon’s first real opening didn’t come until 29 minutes after United defender Johnny Taylor was caught in possession on the edge of his own penalty area by Guy Bates, who turned Jim Ervin but his shot was deflected over by Taylor.

As the Lurgan side began to gain a foothold in the game, player/manager Gary Hamilton’s pass was cleverly dummied by Shane McCabe into the path of the in-rushing Andy McGrory who shot wastefully into the side netting from a great position.

But just as Glenavon were beginning to dominate, United went in front on 36 minutes.

Johnny Taylor’s header from a Tony Kane free kick was beaten out by McGrath but the ball only rebounded as far as Darren Boyce whose goalbound shot was deflected high into the roof of the net off Mark Patton on the goal-line.

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Glenavon’s response was almost immediate as within a minute, Guy Bates wriggled clear inside the penalty area only to place his shot inches wide of the far post.

The visitors continued to look dangerous and from a neat Bates lay-off, McGrory could only shoot tamely at Aaron Shanahan.

Boyce came close to doubling United’s lead on 54 minutes when his dipping left-foot volley narrowly cleared the crossbar.

And instead it was the visitors who drew level on 63 minutes when Mark Patton curled a neat finish over Shanahan and into the corner of the net with his right foot after United had been carved open on their right flank.

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But Ballymena went back in front on 68 minutes with a marvellous team goal.

Alan Davidson, under pressure in the centre circle, sprayed a superb pass to the left flank which was taken instantly in his stride by Alan Teggart. The winger surged past Eddie McCallion and cut the ball back for the in-rushing Boyce to cushion home a volley at full stretch.

Ballymena searched for a third goal with David Cushley’s free kick being palmed behind by McGrath.

The closest Glenavon came to an equaliser was when full-back James Singleton’s well-struck volley was straight at Shanahan.

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Ballymena United: Shanahan, Ervin, Taylor, Stewart, McBride, Kane (sub Taggart 58), Surgenor (sub Davidson 66), Jenkins, Cushley (sub Gawley 85), Boyce, Teggart. Subs (not used): Ruddy, McLellan.

Glenavon: McGrath, Marshall (sub Murphy 54), McCallion, Lindsay, Singleton, McGrory, McCaul, McCabe (sub Kilmartin 69), Patton, Hamilton (sub Rainey 46), Bates. Subs (not used): Neill, Mulvenna.

Referee: Wesley Campbell (Augher)

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