Ballymoney United Youth Academy Weekly Report

The U9’s were pitted against another big side in Ballycastle U10’s. But after some quality displays recently the boys were in confident mood going into the game. The match got under way with Ballymoney on the attack after a good centre kick. Despite this Ballycastle drew first blood after a game of pinball in the penalty box where the danger should have been cleared. Ballycastle eventually found a gap and squeezed the ball home. As the 1st half progressed Money were finding the size difference difficult to deal with and were getting over-run in the middle of the park until the introduction of Ally Gardiner whose ball winning skills made Money much more able to compete.

In the 2nd half Money found another gear and began to boss the game. Joel Christie and Ally Gardiner were now running the game in midfield showing terrific awareness and ball distribution skills bringing other players into the game and putting Ballycastle under intense pressure. Ally lobbed a high ball into the danger area and Cameron Milliken up front was underneath it with a well-timed strike to volley past the keeper. Money continued to pepper the Ballycastle goal hitting the woodwork on four occasions.

With all the Money players committed to attack on the relentless pursuit of the winner Ballycastle found themselves one on one with Ballymoney keeper Rauri O’ Boyle but the reliable Rauri came quickly off his line to make a tremendous sliding tackle to see off the danger. The game ended at 1 each with the Toon once again unlucky not to collect all three points. A special mention goes to Padraig Kelly and Leon Patton who did not take part in this tight encounter but can count themselves valued members of the squad.

Man of Match: Joel Christie

BUYA U10’s v Coleraine Lost 2-1 (Doherty)

Ballymoney played Coleraine Academy last week, it was a superb game of football from both teams. Ballymoney had trained hard and were pumped up for this game and they didn’t disappoint.

In the first half Ballymoney attacked, out muscled and played flowing football, all seven players were outstanding but still found themselves 1-0 down at half time.

At the start of the second half, Ballymoney again took the game to Coleraine and had two great chances in the first minute but once again were denied by the keeper and the wood work. Ballymoney continued to dominate and were finally rewarded when Conal Doherty cut in from the left and drilled the ball low and hard into the corner of the net. From the kick-off Ballymoney attacked and once again were denied by the wood work, this being the fifth attempt striking the uprights. Somehow against the run of play Coleraine broke out and scored making it 2-1 in their favour. Ballymoney continued to dominate but just couldn’t convert their chances. Coleraine rode their luck and saw out the game to win 2-1. Ballymoney will ponder how they didn’t win this game, striking the wood work on five occasions. This game was a great advert for both teams, played in good spirit and enjoyed by a large crowd. James Drain was exceptional; over all this was a display to be proud of.

Man of Match: ALL EIGHT PLAYERS!

BUYA U12’s v Dungiven U13 Lost 9-3 (Elliot 2, Henderson)

A good effort from Ballymoney despite the final score line. In the first half they went 3 nil down within the first 15 minutes but then dug in and put pressure on the Dungiven defence with some great passing in midfield and runs from Caither Henderson. This resulted in goals for Caither and Seaan Elliot (2) to make it 3 all at half time. In the second half Money lost their goalkeeper early on and the strength of the bigger side showed through as they struggled to contain them at the back but still played a lot better than the score line suggests.

Man of Match: Caither Henderson.