Highlights: Linfield 0-3 Ballymena United

Paul Kelly
BBC Sport NI contributor

A Chris McKee double helped Ballymena United record a first league win at Windsor Park in 22 years with a convincing 3-0 win in south Belfast.

Former Linfield man McKee gave the visitors an early lead after just 10 minutes before doubling his tally with a thunderous strike 14 minutes after the restart.

Success Edogun added a third 20 minutes from time to put the icing on the cake for the Sky Blues.

A dream start to the new Irish Premiership season for Oran Kearney and his side with David Healy left with a lot to ponder after a disastrous start to the new campaign.

Former Linfield man McKee comes back to bite Blues

Chris McKeePacemaker

Chris McKee scored a double on his first competitive outing for Ballymena against his former club

It took just 10 minutes for former Linfield man McKee to break the deadlock as he bundled the ball home at the second attempt with his knee after Chris Johns saved his first effort.

The Blues responded well after falling behind, with the most notable opportunity falling to Matthew Fitzpatrick who was denied by the outstretched left hand of David Walsh late in the first half.

The hosts remained a threat but couldn't find a leveller before the break, with Ballymena dangerous on the counter attack.

McKee grabbed his second of the afternoon just before the hour mark with a long-range strike with his right foot, which left Chris Johns with absolutely no chance.

Edogun added a third to really rub salt in Linfield wounds as he found the bottom corner from the edge of the box to round off the perfect afternoon for the travelling Ballymena fans.

What the managers said

Linfield boss David Healy: "The first half we were well in the game and should have at least been level with the amount of play, bits and pieces that we had in and around. I don't think Ballymena had a lot of the first half.

"Second half we self-destruct. Individually, collectively we were poor.

"[After] second goal, we looked beat and that was more frustrating for me.

"We've been losing games before and you always think that a goal, you'll get a reaction but not today. We looked beat after the second goal."

Ballymena United manager Oran Kearney: "The lads have come in to pre-season and it's been a brilliant six weeks that they've put together.

"Today they just carried that on another stage.

"Players and staff, we're all in this long enough to know that it's one game out of 38 so for us it's about enjoying a win against a tough team and a very tough place to come.

"Ideally we'll get the weekend past us, get back into work and get ready for next week. Sadly it's as simple and as boring as that."

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