Toon edge seven goal thriller

Under 11s : The under 11’s faced a tough task on Saturday against premier side Ards in this cup quarter final and the more experienced team quickly took advantage of slack marking to make it 1-0 in the first few minutes.

Once again the disorganised youths were punished when a mazy run and cool finish left them 2-0 down. They were eventually able to threaten the opposition but some no-nonsense defending saw Ards comfortably contain the attacks.

Chrissy Moore and Conleth O’Neill efforts on goal were safely dealt with and right on half time Ards made it 3-0 after a quick counter attack.

The youths put in the effort following the break and Conall Doherty’s shot was blocked before Dunlop fired past the post. Ballymoney were in all out attack now and they paid the price as Ards broke and despite Cunningham and Jamison efforts the game was over 4-0. A brief revival saw Dunlop beat a couple of defenders before driving home from the edge of the box 4-1.

Dunlop reduced the lead further sending the keeper the wrong way following a Scott Douglas through ball. Ards added two further late goals to give Ballymoney a cruel lesson in finishing. Ballymoney’s man of the match was Adam Jamison.

Team: Lyndon McCook, Mark Kelly, Craig Cunningham, Conleth O’Neill, Mark McConaghie, Adam Jamison, Odhran Doherty, Andrew Dunlop, Christopher Moore, Rhys Ferris, Harry Kirkpatrick, Conall Doherty, Scott Douglas.

Under 16s: Ballymoney played Dungoyne at Ormeau park in a thrilling and strange encounter. Ballymoney took the game to their opponents and missed a hat full of chances.

Shots hit the bar once the post three times and the Dungoyne keeper pulled off some great saves.

It looked just a matter of time before Ballymoney opened the scoring but Dungoyne against all odds scored with their first attack 0-1.

O’Neill pulled of a super save and moments later then Dungoyne scored their second and made it three two minutes later when the ref gave a penalty which never was. 0-3 at the break and even the ref said he couldn’t believe the score. Ballymoney dominated the first half but found themselves down against the run of play.

Second half Ballymoney had nothing to lose and played three at the back and three up front and this caused Dungoyne all sorts of problems.

Moore pulled one back and then he set up Anderson to make it 3-2. Moore levelled the scores and with five mins left Moore scored the fourth to give Ballymoney a well deserved 4-3 victory.

The score line could have been higher in Ballymoneys favour. This was a great performance and shows what the boys are capable of. Well done.

O’Neill Harding King Milligan Moore McBride Anderson Bacon Hewitt Carey Dorrian Freeman McLaughlin