Two Youth Academy games go ahead

Both the Under 10s and Under 13s were away from home and enjoyed good results against strong opposition.

MINI SOCCER

After the winter break the Youth Academy Mini Soccer recommences this Saturday for the first time in 2010.

Sessions run from 9:30-10:30 for children born in 2003/2002 and from10:45 for those born in 2001/2000.

Due to the most recent spell of bad weather it is advised that parents keep up to date with events via the club website.

SOUTH BELFAST YOUTH LEAGUE

United U-10 2, Glentoran U-10 2: After much travelling across Belfast - to no less than three different venues - the U10's game finally went ahead at the 4G pitch at Olympia on Saturday.

This superb facility certainly helped the Wee Sky Blues as they started off strongly playing some marvellous football well appreciated by the large crowd in attendance.

Mark Wilkinson was having a quiet day in the United goal and soon a mistake by his counterpart let in goal poacher O'Brien who made no mistake from six yards out.

The pressure continued and a good through ball from Leon Carley sent O'Brien through for his second soon after.

More chances were squandered by this young side and sure enough as the second half progressed Glentoran came more into the game. Unable to clear a corner the Belfast side capitalised scoring a scrappy equaliser.

With five minutes left suddenly it was 2-2 with a long range effort over Wilkinson giving him little chance.

For the third week in a row, missed chances cost the Sky Blues dear on a a day where they were dominant throughout.

NIBFA NATIONAL LEAGUE

United U-13 6, Maiden City U-13 0: Despite the weather conditions, Ballymena United made the long trip to Eglinton.

Ballymena took an early lead when only after eight minutes played Connor Pogue scored the first goal.

The Ballymena team showed some excellent passing and movement skills and it was shortly afterwards when Ryan McKee made a fine run into the opponents box to slot home a well taken goal to give Ballymena a 2-0 lead.

Pogue then popped up again to score his second goal, as the visitors took a 3-0 lead at half time.

The second half resulted in the best performance of the season, when after sustained pressure, Pogue added a goal to reach his first hat-trick of the season.

Kyle Crawford, the United central defender, struck a fierce fee-kick from half way inside the Maiden City half to give the home keeper no chance at all.

Late in the game, Ryan Agnew on the left wide midfield position made a very strong run along the left side, to unleash a shot at goal which once again the home team keeper could not stop.