No place like home as United youngsters star at town venues

With a number of United Youth Academy sides in the town on Saturday it gave parents and friends a chance to watch their chosen game, with a number of boys taking part in more than one fixture.
Ballymena Youth U-15 player Ethan McKeown clears the ball from his Maiden City opponent. INBT45-258ACBallymena Youth U-15 player Ethan McKeown clears the ball from his Maiden City opponent. INBT45-258AC
Ballymena Youth U-15 player Ethan McKeown clears the ball from his Maiden City opponent. INBT45-258AC

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United had a derby date against Coleraine at Wakehurst and put on a super show scoring a number of goals in the process.

McMullan crashed in a superb long range effort and there were goals for Gilchrist - his third in a week - Ross McCausland and livewire Macintosh.

Ballymena Youth U-15 player James Poston in action against Maiden City on Saturday. INBT45-257ACBallymena Youth U-15 player James Poston in action against Maiden City on Saturday. INBT45-257AC
Ballymena Youth U-15 player James Poston in action against Maiden City on Saturday. INBT45-257AC
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Blake Douglas was faultless in defence with some tidy play at left back and was best on the day.

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BUYA 4, Bangor 0: United seized control of the match as straight from the kick off they took the lead when Bradley McCartney released Cameron Bailles who made no mistake.

The Sky Blues started to knock the ball about very well and control the the tempo and when Max Davidson played in Ross McCausland, his left footed finished nestled in the corner of the net.

Into the second half and when Ross McCausland added his second with a finish from the edge of the box the game was over as a contest.

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There was still time to add to the scoring when Ballymena earned a free kick on the the edge of the area and Bradley McCartney stepped up and placed the ball into the top of the net with an superb finish.

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Dungannon 3, BUYA 2: The Sky Blues got off to a great start when Aodh︠an Gillen curled in a terrific strike on five minutes but a lack of concentration allowed Dungannon to equalise on 23 minutes.

The boys picked themselves up and again kept on pressing and Danny Louw was unlucky when his goal was disallowed on the stroke of half time.

On 45 minutes, Dungannon took the lead with a mazy run which was not stopped.

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On 50 minutes Ballymena equalised Aodh︠an Gillen again hit a sweet strike from a free kick.

The game had no real pattern about it and to add insult to injury, Dungannon scored as Ballymena’s appeals for offside went unheard.

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BUYA 1, Maiden City 0: The under 15’s were back at the Showgrounds on Saturday and faced a talented Maiden City outfit.

For the neutral this was an entertaining game, the Sky Blues putting in their most consistent performance of the season.

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The decisive goal came as Jack McMurray got on the end of a Padraig Slane free kick for the important breakthrough before the North West outfit applied all the second half pressure.

Ballymena had second half keeper Euan McLaughlin to thank, faced with the City striker he pulled off a miraculous relex save to deflect the effort round the post to help deliver the points.

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Result: BUYA 2, Bangor 4.

SPORT NI GESTURE

The Academy has received a Mental Health and Well-being in Sport Toolkit from Sport Northern Ireland, supporting the Public Health Agency to raise awareness of mental health and well-being in sport and break down the barriers and stigma associated with it.

Since 2012, Sport NI has been instrumental in providing mental health awareness training and engagement and continues to develop mental health and well-being programmes in partnership with the governing bodies of sport and in sports clubs.

COERVER COACHING

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A number of United Academy coaches along with Irish League players Matthew Tipton, Gary Twigg and numerous other personalities from many of the provinces top youth set ups were at the Showgrounds on Sunday.

The first week of the Coerver coaching course was enjoyed by all and highlighted the skills and attributes linked to this world renowned coaching logic.

The second session is held next Sunday and the lessons learnt from this course will be carried across to the United Academy by their coaches, the learning here can start from the age of six, when the children first become involved with the club

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