Down thirds romped to an easy win over Ballymena seconds at Malone Park last Saturday.

Trevor Lennon's young side blew away the opposition with a superb performance and the loudest cheer of the day was reserved for the skipper who got in on the scoring act.

The shale pitch at Malone Park proved something of a handful for the visitors who struggled at times to control the ball and maintain possession.

Stephen Fitzsimons fired the home side into the lead midway through the half with a superb strike and Gavin Laverty, one of the club's rising stars, also got in on the scoring act, hitting home his side's second of the afternoon.

At the other end, Stephen Moffatt, who was deputising for Stewart Clydesdale in goal, had nothing to do and enjoyed the game as a spectator.

Cecil Telford, who was making his first appearance for the thirds, proved he still knows where the goal is and was on hand to score DownÕs third of the afternoon.

The final goal came from Lennon whose tireless work to field a third eleven very weekend is starting to pay a handsome dividend.

Stephen Callum was terrific in the middle of the park and alongside Laverty, Stephen Strain and Philip Moreland, Down have another crop of talented teenagers on their hands.