Ballymena United attacking midfielder Ben Kennedy’s goalscoring exploits have been rewarded by being named as the Northern Ireland Football Writers’ Player of the Month for September.
The prolific United player has accumulated 11 goals in all competitions to date, including nine in the Premiership to become the league’s leading scorer.
Six of those goals were scored during September, five in the top flight.
Kennedy began the month by setting his side on their way to a 2-1 County Antrim Shield first-round win over Ballymacash Rangers, then scored dramatic late winners which secured three points for the Sky Blues in 1-0 victories over Larne at Inver Park and Glentoran at the Showgrounds.
The ex-Crusaders player netted two penalties in stoppage time in a 4-1 win at Carrick Rangers and added another from the spot as Cliftonville were defeated 3-2 four days later.
Kennedy’s goals helped propel the Braidmen up to second place in the table by the end of September and Saturday’s 4-1 home win over Loughgall meant Jim Ervin’s moved top after Linfield’s defeat by Glentoran on Friday night.