Brilliant displays by United’s Academy sides

This was a fiercely competitive game, which Ballymoney won 4-2 thanks mainly to three goals either side of half time.

The game started off at a sharp pace with both teams testing the others keeper.

Jake White pulled off a couple of fine saves and he was matched by his Coleraine counterpart who kept Ballymoney’s potent attack at bay. The deadlock was finally broken on 14 minutes when Kirk Mc Laughlin pounced after some great work by Tony Kelly. This gave Ballymoney the confidence to play some lovely football and just on the stroke of half Leon Patton doubled the lead.

Two minutes into the 2nd half Tony Kelly scored the goal his all round performance deserved and Leon Patton doubled his tally a minute later to make it 4 nil.

Ballymoney took their foot of the peddle and Coleraine thanks to the hard work of sub Rafferty scored twice and brought another good save from White to close the gap to 4 - 2.

Jonathan kirk continued his fine start to the season at the back and Kelly worked hard to see the game out, Ballymoney as always tried to play good football and it was Andy Stinson who was unlucky not to score when he just scraped the post with a fine drive late on. This was another good performance by the Ballymoney boys against a Coleraine Academy team who had won their first two games.

Man of Match: Jake White

Ballymoney U10s 3-2 Oak

Ballymoney started off the match strong and soon took the lead with a pass from Finn McLaughlin over the top of the Oak defence, which Max Lowry ran onto and slotted into the bottom corner of the net.

The match was soon at 1-1 with Oak playing their part in a very even game of football.

‘The Toon’ soon got back in front when Lowry was fouled in the penalty area which he then converted 2-1.

The 2nd half was again very even with some great defending from Scott Gardener and Conal McGothigan keeping Oak from scoring, but it wasn’t long before the match was at 2-2.

Declan Convery, Cahal Darragh and Mark Faulkner came off the bench and got straight into the game with some hard work in mid-field. With the game coming to an end it seemed that it would end in a draw but the Toon got awarded a free kick, which McLaughlin fired into the top corner to make it 3-2.

Oak came straight back at Ballymoney but there was no way past Padraig Kelly who was now in defence and put every part of his body on the line to keep Oak out.

Final score 3-2. A great team performance with every player playing his part to keep the 100% record up.

Man of Match: Conal McGothigan

Ballymoney U10s 7-0 Carniny

The under 10s got their season up and running in stylish fashion with a 7-0 demolition of a strong Carniny team.

From the start ‘the toon’ stamped their authority in this match with a breathtaking display of attacking, free flowing football. Christie, Dallat and McComb all had chances to open the scoring however the Carniny keeper who was outstanding throughout pulled off a string of spectacular saves to keep the sides at level pegging.

The breakthrough came on the ten-minute mark after some excellent work by the industrious Cameron Milliken and a cultured finish by Adam McComb, which gave the keeper no chance. McCombe by this stage was bossing the game and the Carniny midfield had no answer to slick combination play from the Toons Midfield.

Joel Christie went close with two efforts before McComb was again on the score sheet with a fantastic finish after some excellent work from Aaron Dallat to win the ball in midfield and play through the Carniny defence.

The Ballymoney rearguard was excellent in the first half with Jacob Craig, Scott Gardner and Thomas McNabb all playing their part by snuffing out any impending attacks.

The second half started much like the first with Ballymoney continuing to play with great flare. Jacob Craig turned in another fantastic performance and took his tally for two for the season.

Soon it was Joel Christie who was on the score sheet - with two great finishes to take tally to five.

The Carniny keeper continue to pull off a series for fines saves, however the boys continued to play their football and McComb soon had his hat-trick with a bullet header on the near post which gave the Carniny keeper no chance.

McComb capped off the day taking his tally to four with a stunning individual goal, which earned great applause from the Ballysally crowd and gave the boys from the toon a fitting end to a fantastic performance.

Man of Match: Adam McComb

Ballymoney U11s 9-0 Maiden City

Ballymoney responded well after last weeks defeat with a fantastic performance hitting nine past their City opponents.

Mathew Knight opened the scoring, he doubled the lead soon after.

Conal Doherty weighed in with a hat trick before half time to put the Ballymoney boys well in front.

With the introduction of all five subs and Maiden City being permitted an extra player the second half didn’t seem to flow, but the Ballymoney side stuck to their task and added two further goals.

Stuart Walker had a great game linking well with Mathew Knight and Conal Doherty. Mathew’s ahat trick round off a very impressive display and earned him the man of the match award.

Man of Match: Matthew Knight

TRAINING DETAILS

The Youth Development Centre training times

Tuesdays 6.00pm to 7.30pm 2004’s at JDLC Grass Training Pitch

Wednesdays 6.00 to 7.00pm 2005’s and 2006’s/ girls under 10 at JDLC Astro

Saturday sessions will still be at OLOL 9.30 to 10.30am

All new players will be very welcome.