Niall Currie makes his first change of the night and brings on Eamon Fyfe for Ahu Obhakhan.

Referee Christopher Morrison doesn't like how long Rohan Ferguson is taking over a goal kick and shows a yellow card to the Larne keeper.

Ballymena have started the second half positively, seeing a lot of the ball, but they haven't been able to create anything of note thus far.

Ahu Obhakhan holds off his marker and has a go from the edge of the box, but Jonny Tuffey gathers the shot.

Adam Brooks gets the action back under way.

The second half begins with the same 22 players who finished the first period.

Teenager Coran Madden has left Cliftonville to sign for Premier League side Brentford.

The 16-year-old became the youngest player in the Reds' history when he made his debut and registered an assist in a 4-0 win against Loughgall in November.

Madden went on to make eight more Irish Premiership appearances for Jim Magilton's side and scored his first goal in a BetMcLean League Cup win against Armagh City.

Speaking to the Bees' website upon signing for the west London club, Madden said he was excited to get started.

"I like the fact that I can get better every day, just that one per cent every day," he said.

"I really can't wait. Hopefully I can provide goals, assists and show what I can do."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Irish Premiership champions Linfield have bolstered their squad with the signing of midfielder Isaac Baird on a two-year deal from Glenavon.

Baird, 20, completes the switch to Windsor Park after asking Glenavon to make him available for a transfer.

The youngster began his career at Lurgan Town and Portadown before joining Glenavon in 2022.

"It feels brilliant to sign for the biggest team in the country," said Baird.

"The next step in my career is to come to Linfield and fight for my place, trophies and success.

"At Glenavon I played with a lot of ex-Linfield players who spoke so highly of the club and told me how good it is here. That always really sold it to me, I've always wanted to play for Linfield."

Linfield boss David Healy said: "Isaac is a player who has impressed us whenever we've faced him over the past couple of seasons.

"We have had our eye on Isaac for a number of years now and at just 20 years old, he already has significant Premiership experience and we believe he has huge potential to develop further here at Linfield."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Rhys Annett capitalises on a defensive mistake from Lewis Barr and coolly slots home on his first start for the Ports.

Larne lead after a first half which got progressively livelier.

The home side look to have the capability of troubling Ballymena with raw pace.

Ballymena boss Jim Ervin will hope his side can put that penalty miss to the back of their minds as they hunt for an equaliser.

Larne are almost in again in first half stoppage time as Benji Magee anticipates Stephen O'Donnell's headed back-pass, but his first-time half-volley clears the crossbar with keeper Sean O'Neill stranded.

Rhys Annett's goal late in the half gives the home side the lead at the break.

There will be one minute of additional time at the end of the first half.

Larne remain in front as Rohan Ferguson dives to his right to push away Ben Kennedy's poorly-struck penalty.

The spot kick was awarded after Benji Magee was adjudged to have clipped Kennedy on the edge of the penalty area.

Penalty to Ballymena...

Ballymena's Stephen O'Donnell stretches to try and keep an attack alive from a corner in the Larne penalty area but upends Ryan Nolan.

Referee Christopher Morrison shows him a yellow card and the United defender is on thin ice now.

Slightly unusual to see a caution issued in those circumstances but the official clearly believes there is merit in it.

Jonny Tuffey leaps to gather James Teelan's corner.

Just under 10 minutes to go until the break.

Ryan Nolan picks up Larne's first yellow card for a challenge on Ben Kennedy.