Paul Leeman
Former Glentoran captain on BBC Sport NI

It has been a decent game and both teams have had good spells. Both teams have had chances, but we're hoping for a bit more quality in the final third.

Image source, Pacemaker

That proves to be the final action of the first period.

There's been one big chance apiece but aside from those, there hasn't been a huge amount between the sides.

Glentoran keeper Billy Crellin races from his goal to head clear outside his area.

Charlie Allen tries to return the ball with interest n the volley but he puts it wide of the target.

Image source, Pacemaker

No added time at the end of the first half as Christopher Morrison blows his whistle.

Not a great deal of chances up either end as we go in goalless at the break.

There will be a minimum of one minute of additional time at Ballymena.

Philip Lowry
Limavady midfielder on BBC iPlayer

David Walsh is a number one, as a simple as that. He was at Linfield with Chris Johns, and he looks like a really good fit at Ballymena.

Ballymena's Chris McKee collides with Josh Daniels and is cautioned as a result.

Dean McMaster tries his luck from distance but drags his right-footed effort well wide of the upright.

Ballymena's harrying again forces a mistake from Glentoran deep inside their own half, culminating in Igor Rutkowski firing a low shot which is too close to visiting keeper Billy Crellin.

United's endeavour earns a round of applause from manager Oran Kearney, though.

In a virtual carbon-copy of an incident in the opening minute, Chris McKee's attempt to cut the ball back from the left hand side of the penalty area requires the intervention of Zeno Rossi to slide the ball behind at full stretch.

Ballymena waste the subsequent corner.

Glentoran counter quickly from a Ballymena attack and Jordan Jenkins tries to thread a pass into the run of the fast-breaking Joe Thomson.

However, Ballymena defender David Toure shows good pace and positioning to avert any danger.

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI at the Ballymena Showgrounds

It’s been a good atmposhere so far with both sets of fans making their voices heard in the opening 30 minutes of this cagey match.

No matter the weather here at the Showgrounds though, it is always freezing. Does anyone have any woolly hats or scarves handy?!

Jordan Jenkins is racing onto a through ball against Ballymena's Scot Whiteside when referee Steven Gregg awards a free kick against the Glentoran striker for a handball.

Glentoran manager Declan Devine's face is an absolute picture.

After a lively start, the game has somewhat settled.

Linfield are enjoying the majority of the ball, but are struggling to do anything with it.

Philip Lowry
Limavady midfielder on BBC iPlayer

It looked like Ross was going to meet it with his head but he goes with his foot, and it's straight at Walsh. Anywhere else and it is a goal, but it's a good save.

Glentoran's Joe Thomson is the recipient of the first yellow card of the evening after bundling over James Hood.

Josh Daniels' tenacity on the bye-line sees him dig out a cross which Ross Clarke pokes towards goal, forcing Ballymena keeper David Walsh to make a rather unorthodox save.

However, the goalkeeper's intervention is enough to keep the scoresheet blank.

Image source, Pacemaker

Well, that didn't take long...

Liam McStravick cuts the ball back to Rory Hale on the edge of the box who strikes but sees his effort take a deflection and go behind for a corner.

The resulting set piece comes to nothing and the Blues clear their lines.

Ballymena's Chris McKee meets a free kick with a header which bounces off the underside of the crossbar.

Matthew Clarke blasts the ball into the net but again, a raised flag curtails any celebrations.