Doherty grabs seven for Under 11’s

BUYA U9’s v Carniny

The under 9’s began their first season in the Ballysally League with what looked on paper a difficult game against Carniny.

Carniny were a much taller team and started the game stronger and took a deserved league.

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Ballymoney’s nerves began to disappear, and they equalised through Leon Patton on 9 minutes.

This gave them the confidence they needed and they soon grabbed a second goal. Leon Patton and Tony Kelly set up a chance that Kirk McLaughlin converted to make it 2-1, the same player was unlucky not to extend the lead just before the half when he headed just wide.

Ballymoney were 3-1 up at the start of the second half as Leon Patton converted then became provider for Kirk McLaughlin to get his second on 23 minutes.

At 4-1 Ballymoney played some nice football with the industrious duo of Andy Stinson and Tony Kelly working hard in midfield.

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Ballymoney came close to extending their lead when Patton hit a post and Kelly fed McLaughlin who saw his effort well saved by the Carniny keeper.

Andy Stinson made it 5-1 from the penalty spot and this was shortly followed by a well taken goal from Kirk McLaughlin who completed his hatrick.

With the game nearly over, Adam Faulkner entered the fray and nearly scored. At the other end Jake White had to be on his toes making two fine saves. Carniny did pull two goals back late on but the day belong to Ballymoney who will be pleased with their first game of the season.

Man of Match: Jonathan Kirk

BUYA U10’s v Coleraine Olympic

Ballymoney kicked off their league campaign with an impressive win against a strong Coleraine side.

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The first five minutes of the match were fairly tight with both sides going close to opening the scoring.

However the game exploded into life when Ballymoney’s impressive Joshua Morrison picked up the ball on the left and unleashed an unstoppable shot that ended up the corner of the Coleraine net.

This seemed to put ‘the toon’ in the ascendancy and a short time later Padraig Kelly found a gap in the Coleraine defence and ended his mazy run with a cool finish to put Ballymoney firmly in control.

The Ballymoney midfield were controlling the game with Finn McLaughlin working tirelessly in midfield, while Kelly and Morrison were a constant threat on the flanks.

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Max Lowry came close to making it three but was denied by the Coleraine keeper. The Ballymoney rear guard trio of Scott Gardner, Conal McGothigan and keeper Jude Bolton looked very comfortable in dealing with any Coleraine attacks. Before halftime, again it was Morrison who was tormenting the Coleraine defence and supplying a super finish to make the score 3-0.

The second half began with ‘the toon’ making a number of changes.

Declan Convery was introduced into midfield and Mark Faulkner replaced Scott Gardner at the back. Both got into the game quickly.

Ballymoney increased their lead to four thanks to a super finish from McLaughlin.

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Late on Max Lowry who had worked tirelessly up front, was replaced by Harry Lucas who capped off a superb Ballymoney performance with a cool finish to make it five.

Man of Match: Whole Team

BUYA U10’s v North End

Ballymoney U10s kicked off their campaign against a well-organised North End team at Ballysally.

Making their debut for the team were Adam McComb, Jacob Craig, Thomas McNabb and Aaron Dallat.

North End edged in front in the contest against the run of play after the ball broke kindly in midfield for the Ballymena men. However Ballymoney found themselves on level terms soon after.

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Great work in midfield by McComb found Joel Christie who showed great composure to slot home the equaliser.

The second half started much like the first with Ballymoney in the ascendancy and again, but for the north end keeper the lads found themselves unlucky not to be in front.

Then two great strikes from long range from North End placed the Ballymena team in a comfortable position, however Ballymoney responded with another stunning strike from Christie to give the boys hope.

Ballymoney were forced to make changes with Joshua Morrison coming in for Dallat after the debutant had picked up a knock. Matthew Drain replaced Cameron Milliken, who had been suffering from illness.

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This did not perturb Ballymoney, who found themselves on level terms after a superb header from Jacob Craig.

Knowing that all three points were there for the taking Ballymoney went in search of the winner, however they were caught on the counter attack and found themselves behind.

It wasn’t Ballymoney’s day when a late strike sealed the points for North End.

Despite the defeat there were many positives.

Man of Match: Joel Christie

BUYA U11’s v North End

The league campaign finally arrived on Saturday for the under 11’s.

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Ballymoney controlled the game from the kick off and it was all one way traffic.

Conal Doherty opened the scoring, his second and third were soon to follow. He grabbed a fourth before the break to leave the score 4-0 at the break.

At the start of the second half North End did manage to sustain a five minute period were they created a few half chances.

Matthew Knight and Conal Doherty terrorised the defence and they added further goals.

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Ben Grooscock was having a great game on the left, Ben probably scored the best goal of the day with the perfect lob over the keeper.

Jamie Mc Cooke came off the bench to score a glancing header, but the plaudits have to go to Conal Doherty scoring seven. This 12-0 victory should send a warning out to the other teams in the league.

Man of Match: Conal Doherty

The Youth Development Centre is back in full swing, training times are as follows for the month of September:

Tuesdays 6.00pm to 7.30pm 2004’s at OLOL Grass; Wednesdays 6.30 to 7.30pm 2005’s and younger/ girls under 10 at OLOL Grass; Thursdays 630 to 7.30pm 2003’s at OLOL Grass

All new players will be very welcome.