Both teams provided a 'guard of honour' for Patrick as he entered the field and was presented with a specially embroidered shirt to mark the occasion from United kitman Bertnel Thompson.

Walker selected an experimental side which included trailists Rory Carson and Paul Ballard, reserve team players Aaron Lemon and Michael Smith (II) alongside new signings Berry, McDowell, Gage and Gibson.

The Sky Blues couldn't have got off to a worse start when Limavady attacked from the off and a deep cross from the left was completely missed by Dwayne Nelson and home striker Shane Jennings popped up at the back post to head the opening goal.

Shell-shocked Ballymena began to fight back but struggled to cope with an organised and resolute Limavady side, managed by former Braid favourite Oran Kearney.

Andy Smith attempted a long range effort on 7 minutes but his dipping half-volley went wide before Richard Gibson attempted an audacious over-head kick which was straight at goalkeeper Michael Doherty.

Against the run of play Limavady doubled their lead on 25 minutes, man of the moment Lee Patrick's cross from the right was met perfectly by the head of Trevor Hutchinson, leaving Nelson no chance.

The home side added a third after Michael Smith (II) played a dangerous backpass which Aaron Stewart failed to control, allowing Conor Louge in to produce a fantastic chip over Dwayne Nelson which sent the Roesiders into a stunning lead going into the break.

The lively Maurice McDowell was as close as the visitors came to finding the back of the net late in the second half when he hit the post in the second half, but it only managed to get worse for Roy Walker's side.

Jennings added his second goal of the evening eight minutes from time, firing past substitute goalkeeper Marc Maybin just minutes after the young goalkeeper came on.

United's luck was compounded with two minutes remaining when a Limavady United corner deflected off defender Aaron Stewart and past Maybin for the home side's fifth goal.

A disastrous evening for Roy Walker's side who will have to pick themselves up for Saturday's trip to Larne at Inver Park.

Teams:

LIMAVADY UNITED	BALLYMENA UNITED
Team Unknown	1: NELSON, Dwayne
	2: BALLARD, Paul
	3: LEMON, Aaron
	5: GAGE, Denver
	6: STEWART, Aaron
	7: McDOWELL, Maurice
	8: CARSON, Rory
	9: SMITH, Andy
	10: GIBSON, Richard
	11: SMITH, Michael (II)
	14: BERRY, Ryan
Substitutes	-
Substitutes Unknown	12: McLAUGHLIN, James
	Replaced Michael Smith (II) (67 mins)
	13: COLLIGAN, Lee
	Replaced Aaron Lemon (46 mins)
	15: LOCKHART, John
	Replaced Paul Ballard (70 mins)
	20: MAYBIN, Marc
	Replaced Dwayne Nelson (80 mins)
Yellow Cards:	-
None	None
Red Cards:	-
None	None