Manager Roy Walker gave starting debuts for three of his new signings with Mark Surgenor starting in the centre of the defence, Gavin Taggart in midfield and Andy Smith leading the line alongside Kevin Kelbie.

The Sky Blues started brightly and looked confident and enthusiastic as they knocked the ball around, and created the first chance early on when Andy Smith's cross was headed wide by Gavin Taggart on eight minutes.

However both sides lacked a cutting edge during the first half, as a virtually eventless first half only seen Surgenor make a fantastic last ditch tackle preventing a near-certain Dunmurry goal after a defensive mix-up.

A number of changes during the break which seen the arrival of Philip Carson, Nathan McConnell and trialist Orman Okunayia kick-started United in the second period, as they took control from the start.

Kevin Kelbie was the first to push forward three minutes into the half when he had an early chance - whilst ten minutes later David Cushley's audacious volley from outside the box sailed narrowly over.

Former Larne and Glenavon winger Orman Okunayia made an instant impression five minutes after coming on for Cushley as he picked up the ball in the centre of the park and with no passes available he looked up and drove an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 25-yards.

Another substitute, Nathan McConnell, added a second on 70 minutes when he used his strength to hold off his marker and his low drive was too hot to handle for the Dunmurry Rec. goalkeeper, who seen the ball squirm home at his near post.

This however sparked a revival from the home side as after having a effort rattle the crossbar, United's inability to clear their lines cost them when they allowed Dunmurry substitute Ricky Rutherford in to hit a low drive past Sean O'Neill, to reduce the deficit.

Straight from the restart though the Sky Blues retained their two goal lead as Mark Picking raced down the right and a superb cross teed up Nathan McConnell who headed home his second goal of the afternoon from point blank range on 81 minutes.

In the end a comfortable win for the Braidmen as they ease themselves into their preparations for the new season. Walker will take his side to Larne next on Tuesday night with a 7.30pm kick-off at Inver Park.

Teams:

DUNMURRY REC.	BALLYMENA UNITED
Team Unknown	20: O'NEILL, Sean
	2: SMITH, Michael
	3: McCLEAN, Craig
	4: HAVERON, Gary (c)
	5: SURGENOR, Mark
	6: MUIR, Paul
	7: WATSON, Aidan
	8: TAGGART, Gavin
	9: SMITH, Andy
	10: KELBIE, Kevin
	11: CUSHLEY, David
Substitutes	-
	12: CARSON, Philip
	Replaced Gavin Taggart (46 mins)
	13: OKUNAIYA, Orman
	Replaced David Cushley (60 mins)
	14: STEWART, Aaron
	Replaced Mark Surgenor (51 mins)
	17: PICKING, Mark
	Replaced Aidan Watson (46 mins)
	18: McCONNELL, Nathan
	Replaced Andy Smith (46 mins)
	22: COLLIGAN, Lee
	Replaced Craig McClean (51 mins)
Yellow Cards:	-
	None
Red Cards:	-
	None