We head to Ballymena tonight to play Ballymena Utd in the next scheduled game of the Sports Direct Premiership at The Showgrounds (7.45pm) The confidence for Declan Caddell and the team was given a huge boost on the opening night of the season when they defeated Glentoran at The Oval and they will hope to cintinue this Wednesday night. Ballymena United are wounded at the minute with two defeats in their first two games but they will also go into this game aiming to get their season going.
Declan will have a stromg squad to pick from and training this last week has been intense given the game against Larne was a late postponement. Everyone is eager to play and however gets the shout will know what they have to do. Adam Lecky, Billy Joe Burns and Lloyd Anderson are the noticeable absentees with long term injuries so we may see an unchanged starting line up come 7.45pm. Kieran Offord, Jordan Stewart and Harry Franklin all seemed to gel up front and could start again and with Harry Jewitt-White coming through a reserve game at the weekend with no issues he will also be in the frame.
Ballymena Utd will lick their wounds after a derby defeat last Friday night and Jim Ervin will put that into the past and get his side ready for this game. He has heavily invested over the summer and added again yesterday with the signing of Andy Scott from Coleraine who may just be thrown in at the deep end later. We will of course come up against Ex Crusaders players Sean O'Neill, Johnny McMurray and Ben Kennedy and they will certainly up their game against their past employers.
It has the makings of a decent game and of course we need you there. Tickets are available at https://eventlist.store/ballymenaunited/away and cost £15 Adult £10 Concession and £3 Under 12's.
Finally just note there are some traffic issues around The Showgrounds so please follow the following information……
Due to roadworks on M2 Northbound, exit motorway at the A26 towards the town on Larne Road, Travel through 2 mini roundabouts and then take the next right turn at Kentucky Fried Chicken on St Patrick's Link. Follow the link road around passing the Showgrounds on the left and continue to the roundabout at the Broughshane Road. They should turn left on Broughshane Road towards the town and will come to another mini roundabout. Turn left at the mini roundabout junction on to Warden Street where the away entrances are situated.