Ballymena rout Coleraine in derby
Ballymena United kept the pressure on league leaders Linfield after cruising to a 4-0 derby victory over Coleraine.
A hat-trick from Andy McGrory and a contested goal from Adam Lecky helped the Sky Blues to victory at the Ballycastle Road.
Coleraine were reduced to 10 men early on as Gareth McConaghie was given his marching orders after a foul on Jonathan McMurray.
The result means the title race is far from over as Ballymena now find themselves just six points behind David Healy’s side with one game in hand before the league split.
If the table stays as it is at the minute, then Ballymena United and Linfield will face each other in the first of the post split fixtures and a result for either side in that match could prove vital in terms of the title race.
Coleraine almost made an immaculate start in the first minute as Ian Parkhill forced an excellent save from Ross Glendinning.
Jamie McGonigle fired the ball low into the area finding Parkhill who fired the ball towards the top corner.
Ballymena cleared and from the resulting corner Aaron Burns flashed a header wide.
The visitors almost grabbed the lead on 13 minutes as Jonathan McMurray raced through on goal after latching onto Andy McGrory’s through ball but his early shot was saved by Chris Johns.
Coleraine were forced into an early substitution as Aaron Burns was withdrawn inside the opening 20 minutes.
The Bannsiders were reduced to 10 men before the half hour mark as Gareth McConaghie was dismissed for a challenge on Jonathan McMurray.
Referee Evan Boyce took his time over the decision but adjudged that the defender had upended McMurray en-route to goal.
David Jeffrey’s side grabbed the lead on 30 minutes as Andy McGrory fired the Sky Blues in front.
The midfielder got on the end of Leroy Millar’s ball into the box and his initial effort crashed off the cross bar before keeping his composure to head home the rebound.
United doubled their lead before half time in dubious circumstances.
Adam Lecky looked to bundle the ball into the back of the as Chris Johns made an excellent save tipping the ball around the post but the linesman adjudged that the ball had crossed the line in bizarre circumstances.
At half time Ballymena United were worthy of their lead in what proved a frustrating opening 45 minutes for the Bannsiders.
Ballymena all but wrapped up the affair on 49 minutes as McGrory grabbed his second of the match. Jonathan McMurray nodded Kofi Balmer’s ball in to the path of McGrory who slotted the ball home.
Ben Doherty had a chance for the home side but the Bannsiders failed to threaten in what proved a feisty battle between the bitter rivals.
Coleraine had no answers to Ballymena’s flowing football as McMurray nearly extended the visitor’s lead but his effort sailed over the cross bar.
Andy McGrory bagged his hat-trick and Ballymena’s fourth in the dying minutes of the game to mark an unforgettable derby day for the Braidmen.
COLERAINE FC: Johns (GK), Mullan, Lowry, E. Bradley, Carson, McConaghie, Burns (King 18), O’Donnell (c), Parkhill, McGonigle (McLaughlin 64), B. Doherty
Subs not used: M. Doherty (GK), Burke, Davidson, Glackin, Shiels
BALLYMENA UNITED: Glendinning (GK), Quigley, Whiteside, McCullough, McGrory, Balmer, Ervin (c), Lecky, Millar, McMurray (Mayse 78), Watson
Subs not used: Williamson (GK), Kane, Addis, McGinty, Burns, Shevlin
Referee: Evan Boyc