Ballymena United assistant manager Barry Johnston singled out new signing Finley Thorndike for high praise following his first competitive start for the club. Thorndike scored one goal and helped create two others in a comprehensive 6-0 Senior Shield victory over third-tier Ballymacash Rangers on Tuesday night at The Showgrounds.
Johnston told the club's media channel, "He’s class to watch. Everything he does is so clean and crisp." The 24-year-old midfielder, who joined from Crusaders last month in a deal that saw Donal Rocks move in the opposite direction, doubled Ballymena's lead after providing the assist for Michael Leetch's opener. He also played a key part in Matthew Clarke's goal during the rout. James Hood and Chris McKee completed the scoring in what Johnston called "a good night’s work."
How did Finley Thorndike perform?
Finley Thorndike made an immediate impact in his first start since his summer switch. The former Crusaders, Glentoran, and Ballyclare Comrades player was involved in three of the six goals, showcasing the form that yielded four goals in 30 league appearances last season. His performance offered a positive sign for manager Oran Kearney as Ballymena United look to improve their current Premiership standing of 8th, where they have three points from three games with a record of one win and two losses.
Johnston also highlighted the contributions of other players needing game time. "I’m delighted for Michael, I thought Caoimhin McDonnell was brilliant, Sean Murray who needed minutes in his legs was outstanding as well," he said. The assistant was particularly pleased with Clarke's goal from a defensive position, noting it showed the players were listening to instructions.
Who else has joined Ballymena United this summer?
Thorndike is one of 13 new arrivals at The Showgrounds during a busy summer that also saw 20 players depart on permanent deals. The most recent addition came on transfer deadline day with the loan signing of defender Kodi Lyons-Foster from Coleraine. Lyons-Foster, who previously played for Glentoran and was named in the NIFWA Team of the Season for 2024/25, found opportunities limited at The Oval following the signings of Aidan Wilson and Rob Slevin.
Barry Johnston described Lyons-Foster's acquisition as significant for the club. "Everybody knows throughout the league how good of a defender he is. His reputation stands up for itself," Johnston stated. The defender's arrival bolsters a squad that has conceded four goals while scoring four in the league this season, leaving them with a zero goal difference. You can view the full updated roster on our squad page.
What is Ballymena United's current league situation?
The Senior Shield victory provides a confidence boost ahead of a crucial period in the Premiership. Ballymena United currently sit 8th in the table, seven points behind early leaders Coleraine FC. Their recent form reads LLW, and they will be looking to build momentum when they return to league action.
The team's next fixture is a home match against Limavady United on December 12th. Limavady currently occupy 10th place in the standings. Fans can track the team's progress and check all upcoming dates on our fixtures page. The comprehensive win over Ballymacash Rangers, with no injuries reported, gives Kearney and Johnston a positive selection headache as they prepare for the challenges ahead. The club's current position and full league table can be found on our standings page.
