Glentoran Seconds maintained their position at the top of the NIFL Premiership Development League with a deserved 3–0 victory over Ballymena United Reserves on Monday night at Ashfield Boys’ High School.

The fixture was switched from The Ballymena Showgrounds and the players were met by horrendous conditions in east Belfast, with driving rain and a swirling wind making the football difficult throughout.

The Glens went into the night four points clear of Linfield Swifts and they underlined that advantage with a dominant first-half display that effectively decided the contest before the interval.

Cal Weatherup opened the scoring on 15 minutes, timing his run perfectly to latch onto a through ball and slipping a composed finish past the advancing goalkeeper.

Glentoran doubled their advantage ten minutes later as Jack Faloona, Ryan Bailie and Daniel Beatty combined on the wing to create an opening for Zak Magowan, whose powerful effort was spilled by the Ballymena keeper. Weatherup reacted quickest to turn home the rebound for his second of the night.

The third arrived on 36 minutes and again owed much to quality in wide areas. Captain Ciaran Rogers-Duffy switched play superbly to Caolan Hardy, who delivered an inviting first-time cross from the left for Beatty to meet with a controlled half-volley into the bottom corner, making it 3–0 at the break.

The second half proved a scrappier affair as Ballymena tightened up defensively, but the Glens remained in control and saw out the contest to secure another important three points.

Next up for the Glens Seconds is another home fixture on Monday 2 February, when Larne Olympic visit Ashfield Boys’ High School.

Full-Time: Glentoran Seconds 3–0 Ballymena United Reserves

Starting XI: Beimers (GK), Bell, Hardy, Rogers-Duffy (C), McCann, Faloona, Bailie, Nelson, Weatherup, Magowan, Beatty.

Substitutes: Magee, Dolan, Heron, Grummit, Ayre.