Published Saturday, 13 February 2010
Ballymena Utd 5 - 2 Ballinamallard Utd
The big striker netted a hat-trick as, in truth, Roy Walker's side were always in control and fully deserved their victory.
The Premiership men broke the deadlock after just 14 minutes when a super pass by Gavin Taggart down the right found Chris Ramsey and his cut-back found Mark Surgenor who took a touch before firing home from close range.
To their credit Ballinamallard equalised in spectacular fashion on 25 minutes when midfielder Cathal Beacom's 30 yard free-kick flew like a rock into Dwayne Nelson's left hand corner.
That goal by Beacom inspired the visitors to push forward and they went close to taking the lead but Chris Crilly's attempted lob fell on the wrong side of Nelson's post.
Roy Walker's men regained the lead on 33 minutes following another flowing move, Michael Smith's run and pass found Ramsey and his clever touch fell to Kevin Kelbie, the big striker created himself some space and drilled the ball home from the edge of the box.
This tie was effectively ended on 46 minutes when Michael Smith's corner found Haveron and the skipper made no mistake when, on the half-volley, he blasted the ball home.
Ten minutes later poor defending by Ballinamallard saw Kelbie easily turn home his second goal of the tie, after Gavin Taggart's centre had picked out the striker.
Ballinamallard pulled one back in the 61st minute when substitute Seamus Quigley with his first touch headed home Dwayne McManus' left wing corner.
Hat-trick
Unfortunately the visitors conceded a fourth within a minute when sub Andy Smith played the ball into Kelbie's feet and he calmly turned away from Mark McConkey before being brought down inside the area.
The Scottish man dusted himself down and made no mistake with the resulting spot-kick to complete his hat-trick.
Kelbie should have netted a fourth soon after when Surgenor intercepted a pass before finding his strike partner but Kelbie's shot from just inside the area was kept out by Morrison.
Ballymena United: Nelson, Ramsey, Colligan, Haveron, Watson, Stewart, Cushley, Taggart, Surgenor, Kelbie, M Smith. Subs: A Smith for Cushley (57); Anderson for Stewart (67); McConnell for Taggart (81).
Ballinamallard: Morrison, McConkey, McKenna, Liggett, Stafford, Hutchinson, Crilly, Beacom, McManus, Crawford, Flagherty. Subs: Quigley for McKenna (60); Higginbotham for Crawford (70).
Referee: Mr Brian Tarkington (Belfast).