Three United sides into cup quarter-finals

THREE Ballymena United Youth Academy sides progressed into the quarter-finals of the Lisburn League Cup as the Under 12s, Under 16s and Under 17s all secured victory on Saturday.

The only disappointment on the day was the Under 11s who were defeated by a strong Lisburn Youth side.

SOUTH BELFAST YOUTH LEAGUE

United U-10 0, Aquinas 0: On a day when defences were on top United Under 10's drew a stalemate for the fourth week on the trot.

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With Sean Elliott and Lee O'Brien starting up front, United had plenty of the play early on. After a good chance for O'Brien, his strike partner Elliott then hit the bar .

Man-of-the-match Callum Ross and McMurray were outstanding at the back, nullifying any threat but unable to put the ball in the net as time ran out for United.

LISBURN LEAGUE CUP

United U-11 1, Lisburn Youth U-11 4: Ballymena under 11s suffered their heaviest defeat of the season in the first round of the Cup.

Missing the influential Paddy Quigg through injury, Ballymena fell behind to a disputed penalty and Lisburn extended their lead midway through the half although Ballymena replied through Jordan Hassan to leave the score 2-1 at the interval.

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Lisburn extended their lead when the Ballymena keeper misjudged a shot and the ball ended up in the net. Both teams were then reduced to ten men when Ballymena goal scorer Hassan was sent off for retaliation.

Towards the end Lisburn completed the scoring as Ballymena pushed more men forward trying to get back into the game.

United U-12 5, Lisburn Wanderers U-12 1: After missing a host of chances Ballymena found themselves one down when Wanderers scored from the penalty spot.

Ballymena continued to dominate and got back on level terms when Christopher Rock brilliantly finished from an acute angle after being put through by Michael Hagan.

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In the second half Ballymena went in front when an excellent cross by Benji Agnew was swept in by Josh Corry.

Corry got his second of the game when he made a superb run into the box and headed in another cross from Agnew.

After a neat one-two between Corry and Agnew, Josh Corry slipped in Stan Pulko to make it four. Ballymena completed the scoring when captain Michael Hagen ghosted in at the back post to finish a cross from Benji Agnew.

United U-16 5, Shankill U-16 0: For the first time this season Shankill failed to score as Ballymena dominated from start to finish.

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A high tempo start to the game saw Ballymena score four first half goals, the first coming from Conor McKenna who was alert to finish from a low Corey Price cross.

Price doubled the lead to finish a clinical counter attack before Aaron McGreggor ripped the Shankill defence wide open with a great diagonal ball for Archie Quinn to finish.

Moments before half time right back Jay Hamilton made the most of time and space to pick his spot from 25 yards.

Ballymena saw most of the ball in the second half as they saw the game out without being threatened, with McKenna adding a fifth from Corey Price's corner.

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United U-17 1, Linfield U-17 0: A great result for Ballymena who now are seven games unbeaten stretching back November 14.

Neil Lowry grabbed the winner for Ballymena just before half time and despite Linfield applying second half pressure, Ballymena stood firm to book a Quarter Final place.

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