 Tommy Wright's side saw off the challenge of Larne |
A Kevin Kelbie hat-trick earned Ballymena the right to face Linfield in the Crestwear Co Antrim Shield final. After a poor first half, Kelbie broke the deadlock with a neat turn and left foot shot from Ciaran Donaghy's cross two minutes into the second period.
The striker grabbed his second on 55, scoring from close range after Albert Watson's free-kick had been headed across goal by midfielder Gary Haveron.
A left foot shot from 12 yards in added time completed Kelbie's star turn.
In a disappointing first 45 minutes, Vincent Sweeney had an effort disallowed for offside and the former Limavady striker also headed just wide from a Craig McClean cross.
Larne's only chance fell to Conor Lynch, but his header from a Mark Dickson free-kick went wide of the target.
In the second half, Stuart King's shot from the edge of the area was saved by Chris Keenan and the Larne stopper denied Kelbie when the striker was clean through on goal.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 