Plenty to look forward to as 2013 finishes on a high

As endings to a year go, it could scarcely have been better for Ballymena United fans.
Ballymena United fans in good voice during the Boxing Day win at Coleraine.Ballymena United fans in good voice during the Boxing Day win at Coleraine.
Ballymena United fans in good voice during the Boxing Day win at Coleraine.

The long-awaited present that Sky Blue followers sought most was duly delivered on Boxing Day as United finally rid themselves of that dreadful recent record against Coleraine.

It was a moment to savour as Ballymena’s players ran to salute their supporters in the Hillman’s Way end of Coleraine Showgrounds at the final whistle.

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And yet there were times in the game where it looked as though United’s miserable run against their neighbours might continue.

Manager Glenn Ferguson admitted afterwards that his side had been second best in the opening half before Alan Teggart’s teasing cross somehow eluded everyone in the middle to nestle in the corner.

But the real bonus came with Allan Jenkins scoring a second in first half stoppage time.

How fitting that Jenkins - a man who epitomises on the pitch the feelings of the supporters - should be the Boxing Day hero.

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It has been Ferguson’s decision to pitch Jenkins into attack that has been the catalyst that has transformed United’s season from being plunged into mediocrity into a campaign that offers some genuine promise in 2014.

A few short weeks ago, the possibility of Ballymena being in the top six at the turn of the year looked about as likely as David Jeffrey bringing out a Greatest Hits compilation.

But with that psychological barrier having been crossed, it will be interesting to see whether United can carry that on in the second half of the campaign and finally produce a decent finish in the league campaign - the true barometer of a team’s efforts during the season.

Finally, special mention from Boxing Day has to go to Stuart Addis, whose heroics in playing 85 minutes with a fractured finger should go down in Boxing Day ‘derby’ folklore.

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To lose both senior goalkeepers to potentially season-ending injuries within five days of each other is extraordinary bad luck and poses Ferguson a headache he could have done without.

It will also impact upon his transfer dealings in January, with the acquisition of a goalkeeper now superseding the potential arrivals of players to strengthen other areas of the team.

Once that situation is addressed, United have plenty to look forward to as 2014 approaches.

* Follow Ballymena Times Sports Editor Stephen Alexander on Twitter (@Stephen_Bmena)

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