Ballymena Utd 0-2 Odds BK

Philip Magowan / PressEye
Published 6th Jul 2017

Ballymena were eliminated from the Europa League after losing 2-0 to Odds BK at Seaview.

Leroy Millar scored an own goal and Haugen added the second as the Norwegians progressed 5-0 on aggregate, having taken control of the tie last week in their own country.

Ballymena struggled to create chances in Belfast, while the visitors were comfortable in possession and managed the game with relative ease as they defended a comprehensive lead.

Ballymena were lucky not be punished early on though, after a slip by Emmet Friars in the 6th minute saw Oliver Occean suddenly free on the edge of the box.

He drifted infield and fired a low shot that was well saved by the legs of Ross Glendinning.

A few minutes later Kevin Braniff drove an effort towards the near post which was turned behind for a corner, beginning a few minutes of Ballymena pressure.

However Odds were soon back in control, and Espen Rudd almost caught out Glendinning with a long range dipping free kick, and in the 23rd minute Emmet Friars nearly sliced a cross into his own net.

David Jeffrey’s side struggled to create chances as the first half drew to a close, while the visitors didn’t need to exert themselves too much to retain control of the game.

Early into the 2nd half Odds went close again through Occean but his header wasn’t powerful enough to cause any real problems.

The attacker again registered an effort through another tame header, but the game began to drift towards a tepid finish.

In the 79th minute, Kitelano floated in a corner which Leroy Millar headed beyond his own keeper.

With 2 minutes left on the clock Riku Ruski played in Sigurd Haugen who tapped into an empty net to round off the win.