United under-15s let points slip away

The under 13’s remarkable unbeaten run continued with another league win while the 14’s got a morale boosting win with a comfortable victory over Ards Rangers in the NIBFA.

The United 16’s were not to outdone as they too had a comprehensive win 4-1 over town rivals Carniny at Wakehurst.

UNDER-13

BUYA 2, Cookstown 1: Ballymena took the advantage on eight minutes, when a lovely weighted ball from Logan Campbell to Rhys Hemphill in the box, Rhys held off two defenders and hammered a low strike into the net.

Ballymena scored again after just five minutes of the second half.

A well delivered free kick from Scott Sempeyinto the box saw Danny Louw get on the end of the cross to score.

Cookstown pressed with the long ball and looked dangerous from set pieces, this was to prove the case when they scored on ten minutes from a corner but United held on to remain unbeaten and they sit second in the National League with three games in hand.

UNDER-14

Ards Rangers 2, BUYA 7: A good win for United who with some quality players on board know they have underperformed at times this season.

They progress to the third round of the National cup after goals from Joshua Galloway (2) Harry Robinson (2) Andrew Smith, Jack Millar and Eamon McLaughlin.

Northend 3, BUYA Development 2: The United development side faced rivals North End at Smithfield and after going behind will count themselves unlucky in the end that they did not claim something from this game, being much the better side in the second period.

Goals on the day came from Harry Lennon and Leon Carley.

UNDER-15

BUYA 2, Carniny Youth 2: United failed to claim the three points for the second week in succession after being ahead in the game.

On the front foot they took the lead as the talented Sam Armstrong yet again showed his marvellous array of skills, firing home from 20 yards with a brilliant effort.

United increased their lead with the in form Jack Walshe unleashing another flier from 25 yards for a wonder goal.

Carniny fought back well however and United were unable to settle, the Reds claiming two goals to equalise in a case in a case of what might have been for the under 15s.

UNDER-16

Carniny Youth 1, Ballymena United 4: A Nico Dunlop hat-trick saw the Skies home in this town derby.

Ballymena took the lead when Robbie Perkins latched onto a poor clearance and chipped into the empty net from 30 yards. Ballymena had chances to extend their lead and Colin Marshall headed wide a corner and Nico Dunlop forced the Carniny keeper into a good save from a Robbie Perkins cross.

Shane Gibson again saved bravely at the feet of a Carniny striker and just before half time the Carniny keeper made an excellent save to deny Dunlop.

Carniny got back on level terms when they scored from the penalty spot. Carniny put the Ballymena defence under a bit of pressure but they withstood and regained the lead when Benji Agnew put Dunlop through on goal and coolly beat the keeper.

United extended their lead from an excellent free-kick from Dunlop.

The star man completed his hat-trick when he ran onto a defence splitting pass from Jack Preston and slotted past the keeper.