United youth sides remain unbeaten on weekend travels

The 13’s made the long trip to Londonderry recording a victory over Maiden City while the 14’s made the even longer journey to Fermanagh and will be happy with their point against Ballinamallard.

The 12’s went on another goalscoring spree in Lisburn to defeat Greenisland while the development under 14’s suffered defeat against Carrick Rangers.

The Youth Academy Mini Soccer centre was a huge success as always on Saturday morning, after last week’s weather postponement. Over 90 children were in attendance with a host of new young faces enjoying the mornings football at the Showgrounds.

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Greenisland 1, BUYA 7: United opened the scoring after 16 minutes when a quick move from a throw in saw Sean McAllister weave through Greenisland defenders and finishing a great individual effort.

Four minutes later, a Ballymena throw landed to Mark Butler who fired a low cross in front of goal with Jacob Logan in the right place to put the ball past the keeper.

With only a couple minutes left before the half time break, a great ball from the midfield reached Jacob Logan who provided a cheeky flick through ball to Mark Butler who took a touch and placed the ball past the Greenisland keeper and into the bottom corner.

Five minutes after the break, Bradley McCartney cut in from the right hand side and placed the ball well into the corner of the goal with his left foot.

Lukas Holba tapped home United’s fifth after a fumble by the keeper and the same player scored again two minutes later.

Only 2 min later Ballymena got a corner, a good delivery from the corner saw Lukas Holba get his second of the game. Greenisland pulled a goal back but on the stroke of full-time. a clearance landed at the feet of Rian Lennon who fired home a wonderful long range high shot, which dipped in under the cross bar out of the reach of the Greenisland goalkeeper.

Midweek result: BUYA 7

Willowfield 1.

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Maiden City 2, BUYA 3: After the long trip to the North West the boys put on a hardworking display,goals on the night came from a Sean McKay double and another effort from Aiden Gillen.

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Ballinamallard 2, BUYA 2: Despite falling behind after 10 minutes, Ballymena responded when Lorenzo Dawkins got on the end of a through ball and made no mistake to level the score.

Josh Dunn kept Ballymena in the game with some fine saves but Ballinamallard managed to go ahead just on the stroke of half time.

The following 30 minutes was dominated by sky blue shirts and after some hard battling Jack O’Mahony levelled the score with seconds to spare.

BUYA Development 2, Carrick Rangers 7: The 14’s were leading this game approaching half time in a improved display. Their goal as a well taken effort from hard working midfielder Ethan McKeown.

The East Antrim side show however started to show their class and as in previous games the opposition greater fitness and experience came into play against a young United side. The second Sky blue goal came from a penalty won and converted by Jack Buckley who was joint MOM along with Eamon Og McLaughlin.