High five for Ballyclare against Ashfield in NI Schools’ Cup

The match was very even for the first 15 minutes with neither team creating any chances, and both coaches thought it was going to be a tight game.

However, the deadlock was broken when a free-kick from the right was taken by Ballyclare captain Scott Gault. The visitors’ defence failed to clear it properly and Graham Ervine found the net from 10 yards.

Gault was again the provider for the second goal when his cross was headed in by Michael Kerr on 25 minutes.

After the half-time break Ashfield pushed forward in an attempt to reduce the deficit, but good defending by Wilkinson, Balmer and goalkeeper MacAuley kept them at bay.

Ballyclare’s third came against the run of play when a quick break down the left by McCabrey caused problems for the Ashfield defence, and Gault was on hand to tap in at the back post.

This knocked the fight out of Ashfield, and two more goals were added by Reece Gilmour and Luke McCabrey.

The High School lads face a trip to take on St Michael’s (Enniskillen) or Lismore in round two.

Ballyclare High School: B MacAuley, R Wilkinson, D Dargan, A Hamill, R Balmer, G Dargan, S Gault, G Ervine, L McCabrey, M Kerr, R Gilmour. Subs: C Irwin, D Bridle.

The previous week the U16 boys had beaten Ballyclare Secondary School 7 -0 in the East Antrim Cup, with goals from M Kerr 2, R Gilmour 2, G Dargan, A Hamill, D Beard.

Elsewhere in the Vauxhall Senior Cup, Newtownabbey Community High School lost 6-1 away to Grosvenor.

Monkstown Community School also crashed out at the forst-round stage losing 5-2 at home to Foyle College.

Ballyclare Secondary’s tie with St Patrick’s Belfast was scheduled to be played on Wednesday, October 23. If they win their opening match in the tournament, they will be make the journey to St Mary’s CBGS.

Glengormley High School were handed a bye in the competition and they take on RBAI in round two.

Another East Antrim team, St Killian’s (Larne), will play Craigavon in round two after they defeated Fivemiletown 3-0.