BALLYMENA United Reserves got their pre-season back on track with a 2-1 win at Connor on Thursday.

A very young Ballymena United side made up of mostly reserve and youth team players travelled to Connor to take on the Ballymena League Intermediate side.

In a scrappy first half United had numerous chances to take the lead the best coming in the way of a Gary Baird strike which was well saved by the Connor goalkeeper.

Daley Carnduff also went close on two occasions once from a free kick which was well saved and again closer to half time when he blasted over the bar.

Connor battled well in the first half and played some nice football at times but near the half time whistle Crawford's volley should have given United the lead but just bounced past the wrong side of the post.

United steped it up a gear in the second half and it wasnt long until the young sky blues had the lead.

After some great play Paudie Hearty's delightful touch allowed Aaron Stewart (pictured) on the left to blast the ball low past the Connor keeper and into the net.

United went two up and effectively put the game to bed went Andrew Long's cross was volleyed towards goal with great power by Jimmy Crawford, the home keeper couldn't hold the strike and Aaron Holland was there to tuck the ball away to give United a two goal advantage.

For all there endeavour the home side were rewarded with a late consolation goal, however the young Sky Blues held out for a deserved win.

Ballymena United Reserves: Sean O'Neill, Andrew Long, Archie Stewart, Johnny Flynn, Chris Getty, Gary Baird (sub Lee McCaughern 70), Daley Carnduff (sub Ryan Deans 60), Gareth McConaghie (sub George Young 60), David Cushley (sub Aaron Holland 25), Jimmy Crawford (sub Glenn Dorrian 75), Paudie Hearty.