Soccer

Ballymena & Glenavon both look to cement recent progress

Former Glentoran winger Dylan Davidson (second left) has joined Glenavon until the end of the season
Former Glentoran winger Dylan Davidson (second left) has joined Glenavon until the end of the season Former Glentoran winger Dylan Davidson (second left) has joined Glenavon until the end of the season

Danske Bank Premiership: Ballymena United v Glenavon (tonight, 7.45pm)

BALLYMENA and Glenavon go into tonight’s Danske Bank Premiership clash at the Showgrounds level on points and on similarly upward trajectories, if recent results are to be given weight.

Both teams had suffered fairly horrendous autumn periods, with the Lurgan men shipping six goals to the likes of Carrick Rangers and Larne while United went a full two months without picking up a league win.

Things began to look up for Ballymena at the start of this month when they travelled to Seaview and stunned title-chasing Crusaders with a 1-0 victory. David Jeffrey’s side followed that morale-boosting win up with a 3-2 home triumph over Dungannon Swifts last weekend.

Glenavon began December with a home defeat to Larne, but they have since scored much-needed wins over Carrick Rangers and Institute. Gary Hamilton has signed three players this week as he seeks to shore up a squad which has creaked badly at times this season. Former Glentoran and Coleraine winger Dylan Davidson has joined from Harland & Wolff Welders until the end of the season, while East Belfast striker Danny Purkis has signed a two and-a-half year contract. One-time St Patrick's Athletic forward Conan Byrne has also arrived on an 18-month contract.