NIFL Premiership: Ervin proud as Ballymena United beat Linfield

Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin was “proud” of his players’ efforts as they bounced back from three defeats to stun Linfield at the Showgrounds on Tuesday.

Matthew Clarke’s first half header was enough for the Braidmen to take the win which saw them move up into fourth as the Blues suffered their first league defeat of the season.

Ervin’s side was hit with a last-gasp sucker-punch at Cliftonville on Saturday but responded in fine style to get back into the winning column.

“The response is what we were after and we truly got it today,” the Ballymena manager told BBC Sport NI.

“You’re playing the league champions, so they are going to have a lot of the ball and will put you under a lot of pressure.

“We defended really well on Saturday considering we were down to 10 men and lost it late on. It was cruel and our job to pick the players up. I don’t think any of our boys missed a header, missed a tackle or a block in the box, so what more can you ask for?”

Tuesday’s win ought to boost the Sky Blues’ confidence as they now turn their attention to Saturday’s trip to face Crusaders at Seaview (15:00 BST).

Ervin said he wouldn’t let emotions from Tuesday’s win take over and “come out with anything stupid” but has challenged his players to replicate the effort they put in against the defending league champions.

“We need to dust ourselves down and give the same effort, commitment and determination, but we need to be better on the ball,” he stressed.

“A lot of people wrote us off tonight as we had three difficult games against Larne, Glentoran and Cliftonville. For the players to bounce back from that last-minute goal on Saturday, I’m so proud of them.

“We won’t get carried away with this result. It’s massive for us after three defeats but there is no point doing that this evening and not following up on Saturday.”