United Youth Academy kids set for ‘Highland fling’

THE football continues for Ballymena United Youth Academy as a number of sides prepare for end of season tours.
The Ballymena United U-13 team with their cup after winning the U-13 B National League. INBT20-200ACThe Ballymena United U-13 team with their cup after winning the U-13 B National League. INBT20-200AC
The Ballymena United U-13 team with their cup after winning the U-13 B National League. INBT20-200AC

The newly crowned under 11 Northern Ireland champions will join their under 10 colleagues for another trip to the Glasgow Rangers Academy, following on from last years successful tour.

The 11’s will be keen to test their skills against the Scottish giants and the boys head over on Saturday 8th June.

This coming weekend the exciting United under 12 side will head off on their own trip as they travel to Perth to face the St Johnstone academy, another exciting development for the Sky Blues.

The squad have been vying for the Lisburn League title this season built a quality side selecting only the very best young talent from the Ballymena and Antrim area.

On Saturday they narrowly lost out to old foes Shankill in the Lisburn cup, but the boys can be immensely proud of their displays this year.

The Academy prizegiving nights have been confirmed and dates for the diary are Wednesday 5th June for the mini soccer section and Thursday 6th June for the older sides when all of this seasons silverware will be on display at the Des Allen suite.

Full details on the club website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/ballymenayouthacademy

LISBURN LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Shankill U-12 3, BUYA U-12 2: Looking to follow on from the heroics of the under 11’s last week,the Youth Academy under 12’s were unlucky to lose out to a quality Shankill side in the Lisburn Youth League cup final on Saturday in extra time agony.

In what has been a highly competitive league all season, only 3 points separated the top four sides, for the Sky Blues are happy the progression they have made.

United started really well and were rewarded for their hard work when Lee O’Brien’s shot left the Shankill keeper wrong footed.

Shankill were testing Jack McCarroll in nets at every opportunity but they were nearly lucky only for Kyle Apsley to clear the lines.

A minute to go in the first half saw Shankill level the score line. Into the second half it was more of the same with both sides having attempts but again it was Ballymena who fought hardest when Man of the Match Logan Campbell threaded the ball through for Lee O’Brien’s second of the day.

Again Shankill levelled as extra time beckoned.Shankill scored after a defensive error and the wee Sky Blues were unable to find a leveller.

Next weekend sees the U12’s travel to SPL side St Johnstone where they will play an academy side and be guests during the senior side who face Motherwell.

COLERAINE AND NW LEAGUE

Coleraine Olympic U-10 1, Ballymena United U-10 0: The under 10’s also finished their campaign on a slightly disappointing note losing to Coleraine Olympic in the Rose Bowl final at the weekend.

United were missing a number of regulars and in a close game the Skies rued not taking their chances and so it proved,the Bannsiders clinching the honours with a solitary effort.