David Jeffrey insists Ballymena United won’t be “getting carried away” after assuming the unlikely role as one of Larne’s bogey teams this season.
A 3-1 win at Inver Park on Friday night made it three straight wins for the Sky Blues in all competitions over Tiernan Lynch’s men in recent months.
The Braidmen, who knocked Larne out of the Irish Cup quarter-finals earlier this month, have won three of their five meetings this campaign.
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Title contenders Linfield and Cliftonville have recorded two wins apiece over the Inver Reds, while Glentoran have yet to beat them in four meetings in all competitions.
“I think my overriding emotion is pride,” said Jeffrey after a David Parkhouse brace and Leroy Millar penalty secured Friday night’s 3-1 win in East Antrim.
“We knew how difficult it would be,” he told Ballymena United TV. “We also knew Larne would be smarting from the Irish Cup defeat.
“You’ve got to realise Larne are an excellent side and no one is getting carried away in our changing room because to be fair, Larne hit the woodwork three times.
“We had the good bit of good fortune that you need, but on top of that I thought we played some fantastic football and it was a very pleasing night.
“They did what I’m sure an awful lot of people didn’t think would be possible; to come here, play tremendously well and get three points.”
Parkhouse opened the scoring for United with a close range finish from a Sean Graham cross in the third minute, only for Ben Doherty to level for Larne midway through the first half.
Captain Millar swept home a penalty to make it 2-1 after Albert Watson handled inside the area, before Parkhouse headed home the third from a Ryan Waide cross.
“Larne are a full-time side and we’re the underdogs, but everyone put in a great team performance and it was a brilliant three points,” said Parkhouse.
“We’ve shown all season that we have that never say die attitude and it paid off. Everyone dug in and we got the three points.”
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