BALLYMENA United eased their way into an eight-match pre-season programme with a comfortable 2-0 win at neighbours Chimney Corner on Saturday.

Goals in each half from Lee Patrick and Randal Reid gave the Sky Blues victory in sweltering conditions at Allen Park.

United boss Tommy Wright had four of his five summer signings ­ Paul Murphy, Aaron Callaghan, Patrick and Mark Picking ­ in his starting line-up.

The fifth, Austin Friel, was unavailable because of holidays, while Gary Haveron and Garth Scates were absent for the same reason.

Two of the new boys combined for United's opener on 24 minutes when Pickingšs inswinging corner from the left was met by a downward header from Patrick, with the ball bouncing up into the top corner of the net.

Substitute Randal Reid, last season's Reserve team Player of the Year, wrapped up victory with a close-range finish 13 minutes from time as the game was inevitably disrupted by a raft of substitutions.

As well as the new players, Wright also welcomed back long-term injury absentees Darren Fitzgerald and Dominic Melly who both came on as subs, while reserve players Gareth McConaghie and Andy Philips also had outings.

Ballymena United: Murphy (sub Addis 46), Callaghan, McClean (sub Boyd 62), Patrick (sub Hamill 62), Albert Watson (sub Phillips 78), Simms, Picking (sub Melly 62), Aidan Watson (sub McConaghie 78), Brown (sub Reid 70), Kelbie (sub Fitzgerald 70), King.