SKY BLUES BATTLE PAST RESILIENT SWANS
Ballymena United secured progression to the next round of the BetMcLean League Cup after a strong second half showing against a resilient Newington side.
The opening period was produced limited chances for either side as Newington held their own against last season's League Cup finalists, limiting the Sky Blues to a handful of half-chances.
It was the visitors that finished the first half stronger, as twice the 'Ton struck the crossbar - firstly through Jonathan Gowdy on 35 minutes and three minutes later Aodhfionn Casey seen his header come back off the woodwork.
Ballymena United finally broke the deadlock after 49 minutes when Winchester threaded the ball through for Ross Lavery to emphatically hammer past Maybin for the game's opening goal.
United almost doubled their lead on 65 minutes, when Ryan Mayse rounded the goalkeeper and squared the ball to Leroy Millar who seen his effort salvaged off the line by Casey.
The Sky Blues wrapped it up with ten minutes left through fortuitious circumstances, as Andrew McGrory's cross-come-shot caught Maybin flat footed and dropped into the goal.
Cathair Friel added a third for United just three minutes later when he headed home McGrory's looping cross from the right.
Ballymena United: Williamson, Addis, Mayse, McGinty, McCullough, Burns, McGrory, Winchester, Lecky, Kelly, Lavery subs Glendinning (not used), Harpur (not used), Friel (replaced Lecky 35), Carville (not used), Balmer (not used), Ervin (not used), Millar (replaced McGinty 46)
Newington: Maybin, O'Reilly, Brennan, Casey, Bradley, Cummings, Scollay, Mulvenna, Gowdy, Downey, McVarnock subs Archer (not used), Dempsey (replaced Mulvenna 59), Todd (replaced Gowdy 69), McGonnell (replaced Scollay 71), Devine (not used), Mbaye (not used), Begley (not used)
Substitution 
Substitution 
