DESPITE an opening 2-0 defeat against Linfield at the Showgrounds, Ballymena United boss Jim Ervin is confident his side will not face the struggles of last season when relegation was only avoided by last-gasp play-off success against Championship side Institute.
Second half goals from Chris McKee and Chris Shields, the latter a spot-kick awarded after Donal Rocks had upended Joel Cooper, steered David Healy’s side – last season’s runners-up – to victory.
Former Linfield defender Ervin said: “We’re frustrated about some of the officials’ decisions but we didn’t deal with certain situations and we were punished for that. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the game - there wasn’t much between the sides.
“We had six new starters but that’s no excuse. Things will knit together. We don’t want a repeat of last year. It will be a difficult and interesting season,” added Ervin, whose side go to derby rivals Coleraine next in a massive Friday night showdown.
A late goal by Matthew Shevlin earned the Bannsiders a 1-1 draw against Dungannon Swifts after Kealan Dillon had given the home side the lead.
Carrick Rangers beat Glenavon 2-0 at Taylors Avenue, the goals coming from Curtis Allen and Nedas Maciulaitis.
Cliftonville and newly promoted Portadown round off the weekend action in a live- streamed BBC match on Sunday afternoon at Solitude (3pm). Crusaders beat Glentoran 1-0 at the Oval on Friday night, while champions Larne’s clash with Loughgall was postponed due to European commitments.