Boyce picks perfect time to break Irish Cup scoring ‘duck’

The Sky Blues were staring down the barrel of humiliation at the hands of Harland & Wolff Welders in the biggest knockout event in the country until debutant Boyce glanced home a header with just four minutes left.

“It’s a competition that I never seem to have any luck in,” reflected Boyce.

“I was involved in the Glentoran game a few years ago when they lost to Newington.

“When the Irish Cup comes around, I’m thinking ‘is this going to be my year to get a goal?’. I haven’t played in it every year through injury but it’s good to get that first goal, especially when it was so important.

“I didn’t realise it was so near the end of the game.

“I had asked the referee just before that how long was left, thinking there were maybe 10 or 15 minutes and he said five and I said ‘are you serious?’.

“It was a good ball in by Davy Munster. I saw the two defenders going for it - they were probably better odds to get it than me - but I managed to get there.

“As a striker you get the glory if you score the goals but Davy Munster’s cross was harder than it was for me to put it away.”

For Boyce, a debut goal was a perfect starting point after a move from ‘derby’ rivals Coleraine which has prompted plenty of debate among United fans.

“I know a lot of people have made a lot of it but the fans have given me a good reception when I came on and I’ve repaid that with a goal and hopefully I can keep doing that.

“I always seemed to score against Ballymena so hopefully I can do the same for them.

“Other people have made more of it than I have. I had other offers and it would have been just as easy for me to go somewhere else, out of the way.

“I knew when this came out there would be a lot I would have to deal with in my head. I knew there had been a bit of history with myself and the fans but I’ve had Coleraine fans wish me luck and the Ballymena fans have done the same.

“As a striker, you have to put pressure on yourself to score goals and I think I will score goals.

“I’m 27 now, I’m not 21 or 22 anymore. I honestly do hope this is my last move.

“I had other offers but I thought this is a bigger challenge for me. I know myself I have to perform every week, especially now I’m at Ballymena.

“As a striker in my younger days I looked up to Glenn Ferguson wherever he played because he was a goalscorer. You always want to improve and I know for me he’s the right person to play under at this moment in time.”

Boyce hopes to continue his bright start in tonight’s (Tuesday) game at Dungannon Swifts - the club where he blazed a goalscoring trail in the first half of the season while on loan from Coleraine.

As soon as I signed I knew Dungannon was going to be my league debut. I had a good time at Dungannon, it’s a great club.

“Darren Murphy showed that wee bit of belief that I needed to get my confidence back up and hopefully I can keep playing the way I was while I was there,” added Darren.