Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Sky Blues grind out derby win
Coleraine 0 Ballymena United 1
DEFENDER Kofi Balmer was the unlikely hero as 10-man Ballymena United claimed the bragging rights in last night’s derby at Ballycastle Road.
In the first Danske Bank Premiership game for 223 days, David Jeffrey’s side got their season off to the best possible start.
Balmer scored midway through the first half, but the Sky Blues were forced to play 48 minutes with only 10 men after Josh
Kelly was dismissed for a tackle on Stewart Nixon.
There was controversy before the game when only minutes prior to kick-off the Northern Ireland Executive declared that fans were barred from all sporting events. But with supporters already outside the stadium, the decision was taken, on the grounds of health and safety, to allow them in – all observing social distancing.
United boss David
Jeffrey named all six new signings in his line-up, including Northern Ireland international Shay Mccartan.
The striker burst into action on 26 minutes, cutting in from the left to hammer in a low drive that brought the best out of Gareth Deane.
Coleraine didn’t heed the warning and fell behind 60 seconds later. Steven Mccullough’s corner was met by Balmer’s header that rocketed into the net.
The home team had appeals for a penalty turned down four minutes from the interval when James Mclaughlin’s header hit Balmer’s arm. Referee Andrew Davey wasn’t interested but he shocked the visitors when he flashed a red card at Kelly.
The Bannsiders then bombarded their opponents but when Mclaughlin rapped the post on 65 minutes after rounding Glendinning, they must have known it wasn’t going to be their night.
Josh Carson pounced on the rebound only to see his low drive hoofed off the line by debut boy Trai Hume.