Ballymoney United Youth Academy Weekly Report

After a long winter break Ballymoney U9’s had a tough encounter with Limavady U10’s to kick off the new term in the league, and with Ballymoney being stripped to the bare bones due to sickness and prior engagements, the lads were going to have to be on top form to get a result. Limavady started the stronger team taking the game to Ballymoney.

With much of the Money boys having to play out of their normal positions Limavady often found themselves with space in the final third, giving stand-in keeper Joshua Morrison a busy time in goal. Despite the lads’ best efforts they found themselves 4-0 down at half time.

The introduction of Matthew McNeil in defence shored things up at the back and gave Ballymoney more confidence going forward with Cameron Milliken in the centre and Joel Christie on the right leading the attack. Cameron Milliken worked tirelessly in midfield from box to box releasing Joel Christie on the wing with some well timed passes. After such an attack Ballymoney emerged with a corner, which Joel Christie accurately delivered to the jubilant Finn McLaughlin who finished with a well-timed side foot volley from close range.

The lads struck the post on two more occasions, with Cameron Milliken after a strong run through the middle and Joel Christie having a curling corner touched onto the post by the impressive Limavady keeper. Ballymoney finished the game the stronger team showing a great team togetherness and work ethic.

A special mention must go to Joshua Morrison who did a fantastic job standing in as goalkeeper at the last minute and also to Matthew McNeil who made a very promising debut in defence.

Man of Match: Cameron Milliken

BUYA U10’s v Limavady

Ballymoney u10’s returned to action after a seven week winter break, they faced a very strong Limavady side. This game was down as a friendly to ease them back into footballing action.

Ballymoney changed a few positions dropping Conal Doherty into the centre of midfield and putting Colm Darragh up front. From the start the two teams knocked the ball about confidently trying to find any weaknesses in each other.

The game was contested mainly in midfield and Conal Doherty and Mathew Knight always threatened, Limavady also had a couple of midfielders capable of creating chances, but the reliable Adam Mc Comb marshalled the midfield and cut out most Limavady attacks.

Mid way through the first half the ball broke to Conal and he cut in from the left and stroked the ball into the bottom right hand corner. HT 1-0

In the start of the second half Ballymoney were forced to change things with Adam Mc Comb injured, Limavady started to boss midfield and created a few half chances, but Alistair Gardiner dealt with the danger.

Now the game opened up and it was end to end football, Ballymoney won a corner with Conal Doherty scoring directly from it hitting the underside of the bar and dropping in. Two nil up Ballymoney seemed to think they had the game won but credit to Limavady they hit back straight away to close the deficit to 2-1, and not long after that they scored again to make it 2-2. Limavady had chances to take the lead but Gardiner saved well on a couple of occasions.

Ballymoney brought Mc Comb and Darragh back on to steady things and straight away they looked a different side.

With time running  out Chad O Neill launched the ball long and high into the danger area, and who else but Conal Doherty with a delicate touch directed the ball into the bottom right hand corner. Final sore 3-2

Man of Match: Conal Doherty

BUYA U11’s v no game

BUYA U12’s v no game

BUYA U13’s v no game

BUYA U14’s v Magherafelt

The boys travelled to Magherafelt sky blues on Saturday to play their penultimate league game of the season.

Having won 5-1 against Ballymena the previous week Ballymoney went in to this game high in confidence and this showed in a determined first half performance going in 1-0 up at the break, after Connor Gillen scored from a free kick, from just outside the box. The second half was a scrappy affair with neither team able to sustain any periods of possession or create any clear chances on goal. Magherafelt threw everything at Ballymoney in the last ten minutes but their defence of O Neill, Dillon, McAuley and Boreland held firm to guarantee the three points for Ballymoney.

Man of Match: Aaron McAuley

BUYA U15’s v no game

BUYA U16’s v Coleraine

BUYA U17’s v no game

Night at the Races

There will be a night at the races this Friday the 10th at the football club first race 8:30pm a light supper will also be served. All proceeds going towards the under 9’s & 10’s trip to Scotland.