Glentoran extended their unbeaten start to the Sports Direct Premiership season with a 2–0 victory over Ballymena United at The Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon.

Declan Devine’s side struck twice inside the opening quarter of an hour, with Pat Hoban netting his first league goal for the club before turning provider for Jordan Jenkins. The result keeps the Glens three points clear at the top of the table after six games.

The visitors almost made the perfect start when Hoban released Jenkins through on goal after five minutes, only for the striker’s low shot to rebound off the post. But the breakthrough wasn’t long in coming when, in the 11th minute, Hoban rose unchallenged to meet Danny Amos’ corner and power his header past Sean O’Neill.

Picture by Pacemaker Press

Just four minutes later, Devine’s men doubled their advantage. Pressing high, the Glens forced a mistake in the Ballymena defence and Hoban slipped Jenkins through on the left. The striker made no mistake this time, driving his finish across O’Neill and into the far corner.

Ballymena’s best chance of the first half fell to Joel Thompson, who was denied by Andrew Mills.

The second half saw the hosts push for a way back into the contest. Ben Kennedy went close from a corner on 62 minutes, while Edogun beat Mills to a through ball but dragged his shot wide.

At the other end, Jenkins almost added a third when his effort from Liam Burt’s flick rolled narrowly past the post.

Captain Marcus Kane also produced a crucial sliding clearance on 72 minutes to deny Jack O’Reilly at the back post.

Glentoran managed the closing stages with composure to secure all three points and remain top of the Premiership table.

Full-Time: Ballymena United 0 – 2 Glentoran

Glentoran: Mills, Cooney, McEleney, Larmour, Kane, Amos, Kelly, Singleton, Palmer, Hoban, Jenkins.
Subs: Urminský, Stewart, Ferris, Burt, Kamara, Lindsay, Douglas.

Picture by Pacemaker Press