Academy sides return to action in style

SOUTH BELFAST YOUTH LEAGUE

United U-10 3, St Oliver Plunkett U-10 3: The Wee Sky Blues dominated this game from the outset and O'Brien went close early on before Carley put in a good cross for Mark Cochrane to volley home superbly.

Cochrane then slid home a through ball from O'Brien to notch his second goal.

As the second half began, a lucky break sent the Plunkett striker through and he gave Mark Wilkinson no chance soon following this with a second. As Ballymena made some changes Plunkett quickly added a third.

Shellshocked United never gave up however and captain Andrew Heaney shot in from distance as they finished the stronger of the two sides. MOM - Mark Cochrane.

LISBURN INVITATIONAL YOUTH LEAGUE

United U-11 2, Loughgall U-11 1: Playing their first competitive game since December 12, Ballymena produced a great performance over a much improved Loughgall.

From the kick off Ballymena took the game to Loughgall but could not create any

clear-cut openings until 15 mins in when Matthew Logan fired home from the edge of the box after some good build up play involving Lee McAllister, Jordan Hassan and Peter Rankin.

Loughgall's first effort on goal on 20 mins produced a fine save from Owen Best who up until this point was a virtual spectator however their was nothing he could do when Loughgall equalised on the stroke of half time.

Loughgall had an excellent chance to take the lead when they were awarded a disputed penalty after Paddy Quigg was adjudged to have handled the ball, however, Best came to his rescue when he produced a fantastic save from the resultant spot kick.

This seemed to spur Ballymena on and midway through the half they eventually took the lead when the excellent Sam Armstrong scored with a magnificent strike.

United U-12 6, Lisburn Distillery U-12 1: Ballymena started slowly and although they battled well found themselves 1-0 down after 10 minutes.

Leading from the front, Christopher Rock and Stanislav Pulko constantly caused the Distillery defence problems and their endavour was rewarded before half time they each scored excellent goals to put the wee sky blues ahead at half time.

Ballymena started the second half as they finished the first, playing a quick passing game and it wasn't long before Distillery found themselves 3-1 down when Rock got his second from the edge of the box. Ballymena continued to play a high tempo game which the opposition couldn't cope with and it wasn't long before the front two added another goal each to their tally and made it 5-1.

This was an excellent team performance by the sky blues which was capped off when captain Michael Hagan finished from just inside the 18 yard box after taking a quick corner with Benji Agnew and driving towards goal.

United U-16 4, Glentoran U-16 0: Ballymena overcame a very strong Glentoran side on Saturday with an excellent all round team performance.

Ballymena took the lead through captain Dermot McAleese who picked up an Eoghan McElhinney flick on to finish from 12 yards. The excellent Archie Quinn had an effort well saved before McAleese doubled the lead from a similar position after good work to skip a challenge.

Corey Price was a continual threat going forward from left back and his strong run and cross created the third for Aaron Mcgreggor who headed home at the back post.

Moments before half time Conor McKenna was bundled over and from the free kick Jay Hamilton drove the ball in off the underside of the bar from all of 25 yards.

United U-17 4, Tandragee U-17 0: A great performance and result from Ballymena who go six games unbeaten stretching back to November.

Jamie Davidson took the plaudits on the day for a well taken hat trick but credit is also given to Joe Morgan and Eoin Gillan at centre back who gave the rest of the side a good platform on which to play.

Three up at half time thanks to a Billy Spiers effort sandwiched between two Davidson strikes , Ballymena didn't let the performance drop in the second period and Davidson completed his hat trck to seal a victory, great showing and clean sheet.