Ballymena United’s Ethan Devine credits clever recruitment from manager Jim Ervin for the side’s seven-game winning streak.
The Braidmen survived in the Irish Premiership last season only thanks to victory in the relegation play-off with a disastrous start to the 2023-24 campaign seeing them lose 10 of their opening 12 league games.
Goals were a real issue for the side last season but summer signing Ben Kennedy has made a real impact with Devine, on loan from Linfield, also chipping in recently, including the only goal in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Portadown.
“Jim has done well bringing the right players in, players who want to play for him and are willing to put their body on the line,” said Devine.
“It’s starting to show.”
Devine also found the net in the 3-2 win over Cliftonville last week with the winning run lifting Ballymena into second place in the table, two points behind Devine’s parent club Linfield having played a game more.
“I’m just glad to be back among the goals and playing with a smile on my face again,” added the striker who scored some crucial goals to help the Blues to the title in 2022.
“I’m here to score goals and hopefully I can keep doing it.”