Busy weekend for Youth Academy

ON THE busiest weekend of the season for the United Youth Academy,sky blue teams were in action all over the province, with some impressive displays as always.

The under 10s took pride of place defeating the Bertie Peacock academy in Coleraine,widely recognised as one of the most talented group about at this age. There were wins too for the 11s,12s and 13s and at the Showgrounds a highly successful mini soccer tournament was held for the under 8s with a number of visiting clubs. The academy mini soccer school recommences this Saturday, March 2 and with over 100 children attending the towns largest football development centre,it bodes well for the future as these children begin their journey up through the sky blue ranks.

Mini Soccer

A busy weekend with the under 9’s putting on a marvellous display of football at the Tea Time League on Friday night on the 3G. The under 8’s were in action in Ballymoney and again the following morning as the Academy hosted their own tournament. A great day was had by all the boys and thanks to Carniny Youth,Larne Youth and Ballymoney Utd who helped make the day such a success.

UNDER 10s

What a result for the under 10’s against probably the best group of young players around at this age. More pleasing than the result for the United was the manor of their display playing with a superb team spirit and each player trying his best for his team mate. This group continue to develop and on Saturday took their chances with two great goals from the hardworking Seanie McIntosh and an brilliant individual effort from Scott McCullough.At the back United held firm with Matthew Byrne in charge and a man of the match performance from star man Robbie Richie,who gave his all and suffered an unfortunate injury near the end due to his heroics. Sam Millar promoted for the day entered the fray and performed well in a superb all round team performance.

UNDER 11s

A 25 yard half wonder volley from Trai Hume was enough to seal the points for the under 11’s against Lurgan Town. Although the score line suggests the match was close this wasn’t the case as United controlled the game from start to finish and on another day and with a bit more composure and luck in front of goal could have easily have scored more. The most pleasing aspect was the passing football on display once more. Some great individual performances on the day the pick of the bunch being Sean McAllister.

UNDER 12S

The visiting side were the more hungry in the first 10 minutes, but when Thomas McKitterick was fouled just outside the box it was Danny Louw who took the impending free kick which he put up and over the visitor’s wall to make it 1-0. Some excellent work from Eamon McAllister and Scott Marcus who broke down any advance from Newington. A poor clearance by Newington’s defence was capitalised by Kyle Apsley who found the advancing Ryan Fleming, enabling him to cross into the unmarked Rhys Hemphill to make it 2-0. Immediately after the kick off Cameron Moag played a defence splitting ball to Hemphill netting for United. The Wee Sky Blues started the second half as they finished the first with a goal from Hemphill’s strike partner Jonathan McCammond who was played through by Apsley to get an easy goal with most of the net as his target. Keeper Jack McCarroll had plenty to do but kept another clean sheet. Hemphill achieved his hat trick when McAllister played the ball over the top but he still had a lot of work to do rounding two Newington defenders before squeezing the ball between keeper and the far post. A good performance all round with a 5-0 win that sees Ballymena U12’s progress to the last 16 of the NIBFA KO Cup.

BUYA U12 DEVELOPMENT 1 CARNMONEY U12 5: After a great win for the boys over Chimney Corner last week this was a disappointing result against a nonetheless strong Carnmoney side.

UNDER 13s

Ballymena United U13 midfielder had double reason to celebrate on Saturday. A goalscorer in his sides cup win over Institute,the United boy has been informed he has been selected for a Northern league select to face their Southern counterparts at Bohemians,Oriel park, March 18. A match arranged by Premier League giants Chelsea who have been monitoring the United youngster amongst others. A great talent, Eamon travels faithfully from Limavady for the sky blues and has a superb attitude along with great ability. Already a top player in his County side and an attendee at the Liverpool school of excellence in Belfast on a weekly basis,Eamon is one name to look out for in the future. Another boy who is excelling this season in the United under 13 side.

BUYA U13 DEVELOPMENT

Ballymena have showed more resolve and determination in recent weeks and showed in this game,both teams having their fair share of chances. The skyblues defence looked unbreakable but a lapse of concentration saw Sunnyside take advantage and get the opener minutes before the break.A couple of tactical changes and a motivated pep talk saw the Skyblues come out from the half time break with more determination and drive to take it to Sunnyside.Putting more pressure on the opposition back line. The pressure told and the United came from a great side footed strike by Domatas Katinas set up by the impressive Andrew Smith. A debatable throw in decision which went the wrong way that was crushing blow for United as sunnyside took advantage of the confusion to score the winner. Noticeable performances by Ryan McLaughlin and Lewis Allison, both players not putting a step wrong all game.

BUYA U13 3 INSTITUTE U13 0: At Connor the National League side progressed in the league cup. A slow start to this game which took the boys about 10 minutes to settle in with some players out of position with Mark Wilkinson still out injured .Harry Robinson pulled out at the last minute with a chest infection. Lorenzo Dawkins was on the scoresheet again with a rasping drive which the Institute keeper couldn’t handle because of the pace and it found the back of the thnet. Dawkins again was involved with an inch perfect pass to Joshua Galloway who then laid the ball on for the oncoming Anthony Smith to fire home .Smith then took a throw-in to Eamon McLauglin who shot an arrow like ball into the bottom left corner.Jack McMurray came onto the right wing and showed how vesatile a player he can be and did not look out of place late on.

UNDER 14s

There have been some great matches between these sides over the last few seasons. After a slow start Ballymena went two down but always looked dangerous with the pace of Swann, Walshe and Purse. A brilliant strike from Glenn Swann got United back into it before the Ports got another. Purse raced through to lob the keeper for a great effort and another Ports goal was followed by a good run and shot down the right from Swan once more but United ran out of time.

UNDER 15S

U15 2: Magherafelt have not lost in their last five outings so this was going to be a tough game for United. After a slow start by both teams Magherafelt were awarded a penalty on 10 minutes. Shane Gibson was up to the challenge with a brilliant save to keep the scores level. 10 mins later the Ballymena Sky Blues went 1-0 up when Jack Preston played in Daniel Black who scored with a great left foot strike. Both teams had chances before half time and on 31 minutes Magherfelt made it 1-1 when their striker finished well from inside the box. 10 minutes into the 2nd half and Magherafelt made it 2-1 when Ballymena lost possession very cheaply on the halfway line and from there they worked the ball well and scored from close range. Ballymena then bombarded the Magherfelt goal and after striking the crossbar twice MET man of the match Stefan Flynn headed home at the back post to the delight of his teammates for a well deserved 2-2 draw.