Ballymena boss Ervin named as manager of the month

Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin has been named as the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Manager of the month for September.

The Sky Blues won all six of their matches during the month, five of those victories in the Irish Premiership, plus a County Antrim Shield first-round success over Ballymacash Rangers.

In terms of their league campaign, United began the month with a headline-grabbing 1-0 win over back-to-back champions Larne at Inver Park and followed that up with a home triumph over Glentoran by the same scoreline.

The Braidmen then saw off Carrick Rangers 4-1 at Taylors Avenue, defeated Cliftonville 3-2 at the Showgrounds and edged out Portadown 1-0 at Shamrock Park.

That extended their winning sequence in the top flight to six games and elevated them to second spot in the Premiership table.

This just a matter of months after Ervin's team beat Institute 2-1 on aggregate in a play-off to preserve their status in the top division in his first season in charge.