Ballymena United Under 12s set up cup final showdown with Lisburn

The under 13s recorded a draw at Glendowan in a game they would have hoped to win.The 15’s recorded another draw on the road in Londonderry while the 11s faced North End in an entertaining friendly at Smithfield.

North End U11 5 BUYA U11 4: An entertaining game between the two town sides.United raced into a 3-1 lead but were pegged back by a North End side who stuck to their task as the Sky Blues lost their way somewhat in the second half forgetting the basics at times as they eventually lost by the odd goal.

OXFORD U12 0 BUYA U12 5: United started strongly and were a goal up after 5min from a great piece of build up play to allow Bradley McCartney to find the back of the net.

Oxford came out strong and determined to make it hard for the skyblues and chances were limited in the first half, with oxford doing well to battle against United’s pressure and were able to create a few chances of their own.However the second half was a different story. Ballymena came out of the blocks showing real dominance creating plenty of chances. Ross McCausland netted himself another hat trick after another outstanding performance in front of goal. The goal scoring was concluded by a great finish by Rian Lennon showing great composure in front of goal

Glendowan U13 1 BUYA U13 1: Glendowan never threatened in this game,the one time they did they scored.The first half was a story of huff and puff with little to show for it, poor passing and an uncharacteristic appetite from the Skies.Sean McKay bounced a looping shot off the cross bar and on 22mins Rhys Hemphill shot at the keeper after breaking the defence.The second half kicked off and the expectation was that the team would come out all guns blazing, unfortunately not.

Although there was a little bit more creativity, the game was peppered .On 39 minutes Ballymena scored a good move,Logan Campbell cut a short pass back to Sean McKay, who sent in a wicked cross with pace and accuracy for Rhys Hemphill to dink a lovely header over the keeper. Everyone thought this may spur something out of the team, but the game reverted back.Ballymena did create further chances.On 59 minutes, Glendowan got the equaliser, a long ball bounced over the defence, the 2 strikers broke and scooped a high shot over the on coming keeper and into the net.The whistle blew almost immediately after the kick off.

Ballymoor U15 2 BUYA U15 2: Ballymoor started brighter and United went a goal down.United fought back well with plenty of good attacking play.They won a penalty as McClelland was pulled down,Sam Armstrong then stepped up to slot home. Ballymoor fought back and took the lead again but back came the Skies as McCabe made a strong run before finishing well with a great shot.The Braidmen were the better side again as Walshe and McCabe came close, both hitting the post but their luck was out on the day.

Loughgall U16 2 Ballymena Utd U16 1: United were the first to create a chance when a first time shot from Robbie Perkins went just wide of the post. Loughgall were next to go close with a header and Nico Dunlop fired a volley over the bar. Loughgall opened the scoring direct from a freekick. Loughgall almost doubled their lead soon after with a shot that just went over the bar.Ballymena started the second half with a high tempo but found themselves two nil down when Loughgall broke quickly and scored with their third attempt after two good saves from Shane Gibson. Ballymena took the game to Loughgall and got a goal back when Matthew Armstrong knocked down a Matthew Walker cross for Daniel Black to score. Ballymena put the Loughgall defence under a lot of pressure and went close Colin Marshall and Jack Preston but unfortunately couldn’t find the equaliser to leave the final score 2-1