United under-10s continue to give of their Best

Before a large crowd of parents and friends at the Showgrounds, United shook off early nerves and started to play the passing football that they have displayed all season and took the lead as Jack Millar fired in a cross for Sean Elliott to round the keeper and score.

Mark Cochrane burst through soon after and shrugged off two defenders before lashing the ball home.

Cochrane got his second and United's third straight after the restart with a composed finish.

Elliott raced clear soon after to get his second goal and Lewis Allison,who worked tirelessly in midfield, got a deserved goal late on after a driving run.

LISBURN INVITATIONAL YOUTH LEAGUE

United U-11 3, Hillsborough U-11 2: Ballymena started the brighter and took the lead when Peter Rankin opened the scoring during a goal mouth scramble.

Hillsborough responded well and they equalised from the penalty spot midway through the half. However it was Ballymena who led at half time thanks to another Rankin effort.

Ballymena extended their lead after the break when Deaglan Smith fired home and although Hillsborough reduced the deficit, Ballymena held on for the win.

Midweek result: United U-11 8, Loughside U-11 1.

United U-12 5, Lower Maze U-12 1: Niall Johnston put Ballymena ahead with a great header from a Michael Hagan corner after just twominutes.

Christopher Rock finished confidently soon after when he lobbed the keeper with his weaker right foot.

Early in the second half, Michael Hagan finished well from inside the box when Lower Maze failed to clear their lines.

Ballymena increased their lead when Josh Corry drove home from close range but some slack defending allowed Lower Maze to get a goal back.

Michael Hagan restored the four goal lead five minutes from time with his second of the game and fifth goal in three days.

Midweek result: United U-12 6, Loughside U-12 0.

United U-16 2, Sunnyside U-16 1: Ballymena, preparing for their cup semi-final with newhill on Wednesday, took an early lead when Dermot McAleese made a great run inside off the left flank to receive a layoff from Peter Duffin and drive the ball past the Goalkeeper.

Poor defensive work allowed Sunnyside to break into the box and win a penalty after a clumsy challenge, which they converted to level the scores.

The Ballymena winner came 15 mins inside the second half when the excellent Peter Duffin made a great run down the left flank and from 20 yards out lifted his effort over the head of the Goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

United U-17 0, Linfield U-17 3: An under strength Ballymena went into the game against high flying Linfield without several key players and the depleted squad made the difference as the last time the sides met a full strength United defeated Linfield 1-0 in the first round of the Cup.

On the day the players worked hard and battled but came up short as three games in seven days took its toll.

Midweek result: United U-17 0, Glentoran U-17 3.

THIRDS

Coleraine III 1, United III 8: Ballymena Thirds cruised into the semi-finals of the IFA Youth League Cup with this win.

Neil Lowry opened the scoring after 10 minutes. Ballymena pushed on from this with Michael Smith, Ross Nelson and Neil Lowry making it 4-0 at half time.

Ballymena got their fifth goal when a cross from Michael Smith was deflected in.

Coleraine worked hard to get back into this game and scored from a corner.

Jaime Craig then got goal number six. Neil Lowry got his hat trick and Ross Nelson rounded of the scoring with his second goal.