Ballinamallard 2-0 Carrick Rangers

Gavin Dykes got the response he wanted from his players with a deserved first win of the season at Ferney Park.

Matty Smyth and Jonny Leddy both netted their first senior goals for Ballinamallard in a dominant first half performance which laid the foundations for the win.

Smyth headed in from close range on 5 minutes before Jonny Leddy scored a wonderful long range shot mid way through the first half.

It wasn't all plain sailing though, and Richard Brush had to be alert to deny defender Denver Gage.

Carrick changed their approach after the break with a more direct style of play but the back four of Brush, McLaughlin, Smyth and Taheny, assisted by Armstrong and McCartney, all fought like lions to preserve a clean sheet.

The second half wasn't the prettiest on the eye but Clarke, Hutchinson and Leddy all battled away with McGinty and Curran working tirelessly.

With 15 minutes remaining Carrick defender Mark Edgar was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge on McGinty and there was a collective sigh of relief when referee Raymond Crangle blew his whistle to secure our first three points of the season!