Teenagers reach quarter-finals of the Youth Cup

INSTITUTE Under 18s continued their IFA Youth League Cup run with a magnificent 5 -3 away victory to Ballinamallard in Ferney Park last Wednesday night.

This was only the second ever game at Ballinamallard's Ferney Park stadium under their new floodlights and the game certainly kept the large crowd in attendance entertained for 90 minutes plus extra time in a wonderful cup tie.

On a heavy pitch Institute played with grit and determination from the first whistle against a strong and powerful Ballinamallard team, the game started brightly with chances created at either end and some tough tackles flying in all over the pitch.

The Institute defence of Wilson, Porter, Smyth and Brown were extremely resilient to any Ballinamallard attacks and the excellent Jason Dixon kept the Ballinamallard team at bay on several occasions with some excellent saves.

Ballinamallard broke the deadlock at the start of the second half when hestitation in the Institute defence let in Ballinamallard's impressive striker who knocked the ball past the on-running Dixon in goals for Institute.

Institute got straight back into the game with excellent attacking play and when McDermot won yet another tackle in the midfield he had the vision to look up and thread a pass through to Mikey Allen who had his shot saved by the keeper but the ever alert Conor Kane followed up to blast the ball into the Ballinamallard net.

Institute were now in the ascendency and a wonderful second goal came when Brown found Conor Kane on the right and his inch perfect pass into the box was disptached by the powerful Mikey Allen.

The midfield duo of Sean McKinney and Conor McDermott were controlling the midfield and Institute added a third when from a Matty Smyth corner the towering Gareth Smyth rose to head the ball down for Kane to blast into the net.

Ballinamallard to their credit would not lie down and with five minutes remaining Institute were stunned when two quick goals sent the game into extra time.

Institute were not going to throw away their chance of a cup run and were battling for every tackle and attacking at will with McDermott and McKinney dominating midfield and wing wizard Matty Smyth a constant threat when provided with the opportunity to get at the Ballinamallard defence.

Early into the first period of extra time man of the match Conor Kane popped up to coolly chip the ball over the Ballinamallard keeper from 20 yards for his hat-trick.

Institute were now in the ascendancy and taking the game to a tiring Ballinamallard team who simply could not believe Institute's resolve and determination.

Institute's fifth and final goal came after midfield dynamo McKinney won possession in midfield, looked up and picked out Stefan Connolly with a great pass and the big striker brought the ball down instantly and cleverly lifted the ball over the on-rushing keeper.The Institute players and coaches were overjoyed.

This was an absolutely magnificent team performance from Institute U18s against a very stong Ballinamallard team who were obviously shell shocked come the final whistle in front of a large home crowd.

Team managers Colin O'Kane and Paul McIntosh were understandably delighted with the result and attitude of their players.

"The standard of football was excellent at times and we never stopped playing our own game and for the lads to pick themselves up and come back from surrendering a 3-1 lead was magnificent and the players should feel immense pride in themselves after this result."

The reward for Institute is a very tough away quarter final tie at Newry City on Saturday, April 10. However on this dispay it will be Newry who will fear the prospect of an excellent Institute team, who return to IFA Youth League action this Saturday at Coleraine, are relishing the prospect of taking another Premier League scalp in the quarter finals.

Institute U18: Jason Dixon, Darren Brown, Gareth Smyth, Chris Porter, Sean McKinney, James McCracken, Mikey Allen, Conor Kane, Connor McDermott, Matty Smyth. Subs: Ryan Magee for Brown; Kyle McIntosh for McCracken; Stefan Connolly for Allen.