Danske Bank Premiership: Ballymena United 2 Linfield 3
LINFIELD manager David Healy was delighted his defending champions maintained their winning start on Saturday night, successfully navigating what was a potentially tricky assignment at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
Both sides went into Saturday’s game on the back of opening day wins, but it was the Blues who emerged with their early 100 per cent record intact.
It was Kirk Millar who opened the scoring for Linfield when he turned and fired right-footed into the bottom corner in the ninth minute. Navid Nasseri added a second just before the 40 minute mark when some classy footwork left Jim Ervin flailing and he shot into the top corner.
Paul McElroy got one back for the hosts from the spot before half-time but an unmarked Jordan Stewart nodded home Linfield's third, with Leroy Millar scoring a consolation for Ballymena in injury-time.
“I’m pleased with the performance, the work ethic, coming down here’s never easy so to drive back to Belfast with the three points is what we came for,” Healy said.
“I thought our three goals were outstanding for different reasons: individual quality by Nav, great first goal by Kirk Millar and I thought his delivery while running on a pitch like this, to deliver the ball that he did right bang on the money for Jordan’s goal was exceptional.
“I was disappointed to concede a soft goal to allow Ballymena back into the game, again another soft goal in the 92nd minute which we had three or four opportunities to clear and we didn’t. So if there’s anything frustrating it’s probably the soft goals.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, Glentoran were left scratching their heads as nine-man Glenavon struck late to earn a 1-1 draw at the Oval. Coleraine got their season up and running with a 3-0 win over 10-man Portadown, while Larne maintained their perfect start with a 2-1 east Antrim derby win at Carrick Rangers. Warrenpoint were impressive in their 2-0 win against Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.
This Friday night, Linfield host Crusaders in what David Healy knows will be litmus test for both sides: “Crusaders have got match winners all over the pitch, they’ve got players in and around the squad who understand what it is to go the distance, what it takes and it what it needs to not only to win games of football but to be successful through a long season, so we’ll be under no illusions how difficult the challenge will be.”
