Ballymena United Youth Academy round-up: Goals galore for ‘wee’ Sky Blues

Performance of the weekend came from the development under 13’s with a superb victory in Lisburn over high flying North Belfast.

Both under 10 sides also recorded excellent wins in Coleraine following their midweek exploits at Windsor Park where they played against their counterparts from Ballymoney on the pitch at half time in front of the 10,000 crowd, a truly memorable experience.

The under 11’s recorded their own victory over Ballymoney at the weekend. Scoring 6 they were only outgunned by the under 13’s who managed 8 and the under14’s,with 12 goals!

BUYA U-11 6, Ballymoney U-11 0: With the transfer tests well under way this month this young side took advantage of the break to get a friendly match with Ballymoney.

After a scoreless first half, Ballymena came out from the second half on fire and within minutes David Heaney opened the scoring with a great left foot shot.

A few minutes after that saw Matthew Lorimer in on goal after a great build up and he calmly slotted it past the keeper.

This set up United on a goal scoring spree.David Heaney scoring another two goals to earn him hat trick hero status and Ross McCausland getting himself two for good measure.

BUYA U-13 2, North Belfast U-13 1: Ballymena gave what was to be their best performance to date this season.

The Braid men showed skill, committment and determination from the start and didn’t seem fazed when North Belfast went one up just before the half time whistle.

Early in the second half, a corner taken short by the impressive Leon Carley and whipped in by Matty Scott resulted in Ethan McKeown scrambling home.

As Ballymena increased the pace they were again awarded another corner taken as before for Andrew Kyle to finish well.

Again North Belfast rallied and won four corners in succession only to be defended by a strong and confident back four. Leon Carley has got to be congratulated for what was an outstanding man of the match performace with Josh Wharry a close runner up.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

BUYA U-13 8, Magheraflet Sky Blues U-13 0: United performed well on a poor surface to stay top of the table.

The three attacking midfielders of Millar,OBrien and Dawkins were linking up well with each other early on and it was no surprise that Dawkins continued his good scoring form with two early efforts.

A mesmerising run from O’Brien set up Dawkins for his first half hat trick as Mark Wilkinson showed excellent handling at the other end to nullify any threat.

Despite changes at the interval United kept up the tempo and Stephen McColgan got his second double in two weeks.

Top Striker Mark Cochrane was not to be outdone adding to his tally this season and there was another goal from Bailie Young keeping up his impressive form.

Lee O’Brien also contributed with a marvellous solo goal as United look forward to a tough fixture with Crusaders next.

Magherafelt Sky Blues U-14 1, BUYA U-14 12: United hit back from two recent defeats with a goal rampage in Magherafelt.

Calvin Purse was again on fire with four goals, nippy Cameron Neilly got a classy hat trick followed by two from Glen Swann,two more for Sam Armstrong and a great double from new signing Bailie McNeill.

Warrenpoint U-15 3, BUYA U-15 2: The Skies were slow to start in this match and Warrenpoint took full advantage and scored twice in the first 10 mins.

It was Christopher Rock’s run into the box which lead to Warrenpoint bringing him down and giving away a penalty which Rock took himself with a calm finish making it 2-1 at the break.

At the start of the second half both teams were playing good football but Warrenpoint scored their third and it looked as if it was all over for the Skies but they never gave up and fought for every ball. Dominating in midfield Jack Preston got the ball in his own half a played a super ball into the path of Daniel Black who finished well to make it 3-2 .

The MET Healthcare sponsored man if the match went to Sam Cummings who just pipped is midfield partner Jack Preston.