Ballymena United’s manager, Oran Kearney, has pinpointed several areas for improvement after his team suffered a 1-0 defeat to Portadown in his debut match at Shamrock Park.
James Teelan’s goal in the second half was enough to secure all three points for Niall Currie’s team.
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“It’s disappointing to lose, especially in the way we did. Our defense held strong throughout the match; I can’t recall Declan [Breen, the Ballymena goalkeeper] being heavily tested,” Kearney reflected. “However, we had a moment where we switched off for just a few seconds, and it proved costly. I was pleased with our response, particularly during the final 15 to 20 minutes, but we have a lot of work ahead of us.”
“There are positives to take away—our attitude remained strong, and we kept pushing forward,” he added. “It’s been a hectic week as we’re all getting used to one another. There were aspects we were pleased with, but also areas that need improvement.”
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Kearney, the former Coleraine manager, anticipates making some adjustments to his squad during the January transfer window. “Given that we’re in the middle of the season, we need to address these matters promptly. We’ll look to make some moves come January, ensuring we maximize that opportunity,” he stated.