BALLYMENA United Reserves picked themselves up from last week's defeat with an excellent away win against Institute.

The Sky Blues started the game very well and good play from Randal Reid and Davitt Walsh presented Aaron Holland with a good chance but the young midfielder fired his effort over the bar.

As the pressure grew on the Institute goal, United took the lead on 26 minutes. A Gareth McConaghie through ball allowed Randal Reid in to round the outcoming goalkeeper and carefully picked his spot in the top corner with several 'Stute players on the goal line

United should have been two goals up before half time but McConaghie's wipped free-kick was headed wide by Randal Reid late in the half.

The Sky Blues came out in the second half in search of the crucial second goal and Paul Brown went very close early on with a superb solo run and left foot strike which was only a matter of inches wide.

The important second wasn't long in coming and arrived just after the hour mark.

Again another superb McConaghie free-kick this time it was headed against the crossbar by Brown. Aaron Stewart picked up the loose ball and crossed for Randal Reid to strike at the front post and make it 2-0 and give Reid his second of the game, and also his eigth goal this season at reserve level.

The game was wrapped up in great style in the last quarter of an hour when a Lee Colligan (pictured) run allowed the youngster to slot the ball under the keeper to give United a superb start to the festive period with a 3-0 victory.

Davitt Walsh played an hour as he attempts to recover from injury, whilst Paul Brown is nearly reaching full fitness.

Ballymena United Reserves: Keith Wilson, Andrew Long, Aaron Callaghan, Aaron Stewart, Gary Baird, Aaron Holland, Gareth McConaghie, Davitt Walsh (sub Ryan Deans 62), Nigel Boyd (sub Lee Colligan 45), Paul Brown (sub Steven Leitch 74), Randal Reid.