UNITED’S WIN WELL RECEIVED

BALLYMENA UNITED boss David Jeffrey admits a sense of desperation drove his players to their first league win of the season over Cliftonville on Saturday.

A flicked effort from Emmett Friars 14 from time won it for the Braidmen who had taken just one point from their opening four Danske Bank Premiership fixtures.

United are now level on four points with

Cliftonville who handed former Swansea City Rory Donnelly a second debut.

Jeffrey said: “It’s been a challenging start and there was a bit of tension and some desperation too to get that first win. It’s great to get three points and also keep a clean sheet.

“We knew it would be tough, especially when you see the names Rory Donnelly and Joe Gormley on their team sheet, but I asked my players to be disciplined and work very hard.” Elsewhere,

continued their positive start to the season with a 2-0 win over

who saw Darren Murray red carded late on at The Oval.

Curtis Allen bagged his fourth goal of the season with a superb free-kick before strike partner Robbie Mcdaid added a second with a clever close range finish.

made it three wins on the bounce in all competitions with a 2-0 win over

at Stangmore Park. Ryan Mayse and Ryan Harpur were on target for the Swifts in either half.

the Irn Bru Cup, Linfield beat Spartans 2-1 with goals from Louis Rooney and Stephen Lowry, while Crusaders defeated Motherwell U20s 3-2 at Seaview with one from Philip Lowry and a late brace from BJ Burns.

GLENTORAN