Derby win makes it back-to-back wins for Ballinamallard

Ballinamallard United recorded back-to-back victories for the first time since January as they defeated Dergview 2-0 to take the derby honours.

Two early goals proved decisive, with Danny Barker scoring after just 40 seconds and Darragh Byrne adding a second 14 minutes into the contest.

Ballinamallard started with a much-changed team from the 11 that started the win over Newington the previous week.

Richie Johnston and Aaron Arkinson came into the backline in place of Dean Corrigan and Ryan Morris, with Gary Armstrong replaced by Aaron Harkin, who was making his first start since the reverse fixture against Dergview at the start of March.

James McGrath also returned at the expense of the ill Ultan O’Grady, and Josh McIlwaine came back from suspension to take the striker vacancy left by the injured Simon Warrington.

Danny Barker scored his first senior goal with his last kick of the previous game against Newington, and he added his second with his first touch against Dergview.

Inside the first minute, Ballinamallard broke down the right and McIlwaine set Barker away, with his low driven shot from the corner of the penalty area going through the hands of goalkeeper Shane O’Gara and into the far corner of the net.

The contest was living up to its derby reputation as Dergview crunched into several tackles in midfield.

The visitor’s captain Blaine Burns picked up an early yellow card, but it did not disrupt the Mallard’s dominance and from a quick break they doubled their advantage after 14 minutes.

Barker was again central to the move, collecting a pass in the right channel and advancing on the keeper before squaring the ball for Darragh Byrne to tap in.

McIlwaine then fired a shot wide of the far post after collecting a long pass from Ben McCann, and on the half-hour, Barker came close again.

A flick from McIlwaine on the halfway line set McGrath racing forward. His pass found Barker, who cut inside the defender and from the edge of the penalty area fired a low shot wide of the upright.

In the final 15 minutes of the half, Dergview started to pose more of a threat and Lynch headed just wide from a long pass, before shooting straight at Jamie Ray from 25 yards out.

Just before the interval Ballinamallard broke at pace, Alex Holder collecting a backheel from Byrne and advancing down the left, but his low cross just evaded a sliding McIlwaine at the front post.

James McGrath rises high to head forward (Image: Mervyn Smyth)

The second half started with more Ballinamallard pressure.

James McGrath slid a ball through to Barker and he took a touch and from 20 yards blasted a shot off the crossbar.

Holder then looked to be pulled back as he advanced on goal, but the referee waved away the Mallard’s appeals.

Barker was a constant outlet for Ballinamallard and he curled a first-time shot just past the post, before seeing an effort from an angle saved by O’Gara.

Dergview rarely threatened in the second half, but with five minutes remaining they had their best opportunity of the match when a free kick found Keenan Diver in space at the back post, but his fiercely hit shot was saved by Ray.

Ballinamallard broke quickly from the loose ball and Gary Armstrong ran unchallenged from his half to the edge of the Dergview penalty area.

O’Gara got a hand to the ball as the substitute attempted to round the keeper, but the rebound fell invitingly for Barker whose shot was headed off the goal line.

John Edgar came close to adding a third in the final minute, but his close-range effort was clawed over the bar by the keeper.

The victory keeps Ballinamallard in eighth place in the league table with two games of the season remaining.