TEN-MAN CARRICK CLAIM SHOWGROUNDS SUCCESS
Carrick Rangers' resurgence continued with victory at the Ballymena Showgrounds on Saturday, despite finishing the match with ten players.
Following a goalless first period it was the visitors who opened the scoring two minutes after the resumption, after excellent footwork and trickery by Nedas Maciulaitis, he cut the United defence open to tee up Danny Gibson for a close range tap in past Sean O'Neill.
Ballymena United did come back into the game on 65 minutes as a deep free kick was met at the near post by defender Daithi McCallion who swept home from close range to level the scores.
The winning goal came on 71 minutes though as Maciulaitis capped off a fine performance with the goal of the game, turning the United defence before firing an unstoppable left footed drive into the top corner.
The drama wasn't over however, as Carrick Rangers were forced to play the final 15 minutes of the game without goalkeeper Ross Glendinning who was sent off for handling outside the penalty area - but the Gers managed to hold out for all three points.
Ballymena United: O'Neill, Lafferty, Rocks, Kennedy, Scott, O'Donnell, McCurry, McCallion, Devine, Devlin, Carson subs Johnston (not used), Nelson (replaced Rocks 85), Gawne (replaced Scott 54), Moore (replaced McCurry 85), Loughran (not used), Brown (replaced Devlin 54), McMurray (replaced Devine 54)
Carrick Rangers: Glendinning, Forsythe, McGuckin, Maciulaitis, McCullough, Buchanan-Rolleston, Clucas, Crowe, Cherry, Heatley, Gibson subs McCauley (replaced Gibson 76), Surgenor (not used), Gordon (replaced Cherry 90+3), Cushley (replaced McGuckin 90+3), Allen (replaced Maciulaitis 90+5), Andrews (replaced Forsythe 46), Given (not used)
Substitution 
Substitution 
