Carrick Rangers vs Ballymena United

C. Allen put Ballymena ahead inside 12 minutes, finishing a well-worked move to settle any early nerves. He doubled the lead on 27 minutes with his second of the night, giving the visitors a 2–0 advantage at the break. The result was put beyond doubt in the 65th minute when I. Rutkowski added a third, ensuring Ballymena went through the match without reply.

The scoreline could have been wider: Ballymena created the clearer chances throughout, while Carrick Rangers — still building towards the 2026/27 Sports Direct Premiership season — struggled to test the Ballymena goalkeeper with any sustained pressure.

Allen's second goal in the 27th minute effectively killed the contest before half-time. Carrick Rangers had been competitive in the opening exchanges but the two-goal cushion gave Ballymena control of the tempo, and they rarely looked back.

C. Allen (Ballymena United) — Two clinical finishes inside 27 minutes set the tone. His movement off the ball caused the Carrick defence problems all evening.

I. Rutkowski (Ballymena United) — Sealed the win with a composed finish on 65 minutes and offered a threat from midfield throughout.

The provider data shows three goals, all from Ballymena, with no cards issued in a clean, friendly contest. The 2–0 half-time scoreline reflected Ballymena's first-half dominance, with Allen's brace the difference. The match was played in a testimonial atmosphere, so intensity was naturally tempered, but Ballymena's sharpness in the final third stood out against a Carrick side still integrating new signings including Daire O'Connor and Jordan Forsythe.

This was the final pre-season friendly for both sides before the 2026/27 campaign begins. Carrick Rangers open their Sports Direct Premiership season at home to Portadown on 8 August, while Ballymena United will look to carry this momentum into the new term. Ballymena have now won 15 of 30 meetings between the sides since 2017, and are unbeaten in the last six.

A straightforward testimonial friendly that Ballymena controlled from the first goal. Allen's brace was the difference, and the Sky Blues looked sharper and more cohesive than a Carrick side still finding its rhythm. The result carries little competitive weight but the performance will have pleased the Ballymena management.