Glentoran 3, Ballymena United 0

The Sky Blues produced an abject performance to allow opponents Glentoran to extend their lead over them to five points, with United having just two fixtures left before the league ‘splits’ at the end of this month.

Ballymena made just one change from last week’s Irish Cup win over Dungannon, with Aaron Stewart replacing Stephen McBride at left-back but the difference in the team’s performance level within that six-day period was like night and day,

Glentoran, on the other hand, fielded a largely experimental line-up as manager Eddie Patterson sought to keep some of his ‘big guns’ in reserve for Monday night’s Irish Cup quarter-final against Glenavon.

But it was Glentoran who created the first opening on 13 minutes after Stephen McAlorum threaded through a pass to David Scullion who shot early but Aaron Shanahan dived to his left to hold the low effort.

The same combination yielded the same outcome on 26 minutes before Darren Boyce headed United’s first opening onto the roof of the net after nodding the ball over the advancing Elliott Morris from Alan Teggart’s cross.

As Ballymena struggled desperately to find any sort of rhythm, Glentoran opened the scoring on 31 minutes.

The ball broke off Johnny Taylor for Danny McKee to race clear and the youngster coolly rounded Shanahan before slotting home his first senior goal.

Ballymena started the second half aiming to improve and they had a chance within the opening few minutes as David Cushley’s flick released Allan Jenkins but as the skipper burst through on goal, he was denied by a well-timed tackle by Willie Garrett.

And within five minutes of the restart, United found themselves two goals down.

Teenager McKee was again involved, outpacing Davy Munster down the left flank before cutting back a cross which Fra McCaffrey had time to control before slotting past the exposed Shanahan.

Glentoran looked the more likely to add to their lead with Shanahan again well placed to drive McCaffrey’s first time shot over the bar.

There was no way back for United after they conceded a penalty with 16 minutes left after Johnny Taylor was adjudged to have bundled over Jim O’Hanlon on the bye-line. O’Hanlon picked himself up to despatch the penalty kick low to Shanahan’s right.

Shanahan, the only Ballymena player to emerge with any credit, produced another excellent block to deny McCaffrey after United had been sliced open down their right flank.

In a telling statistic, Darren Boyce had United’s first shot on target - in the 86th minute.

Glentoran: Morris, Henderson, Garrett (sub Stewart 75), Clarke, Bradley, Nelson, O’Hanlon, Henderson, McAlorum, Scullion, McKee (sub Allen 80), McCaffrey (sub Hughes 85). Subs (not used): Hogg, Miskimmin.

Ballymena United: Shanahan, Ervin, Munster (sub Ruddy 57), Taylor, Stewart, Kane (sub McLellan 57), Davidson, Jenkins, Cushley, Boyce, Teggart (sub Thompson 71). Subs (not used): Taggart, Gawley.

Referee: Ian McNabb (Glengormley).