BALLYMENA United Youth Academy returned to league action for the first time this year with a strong showing across all age groups.
SOUTH BELFAST YOUTH LEAGUE
United U-10 3, St Oliver Plunkett U-10 3: The Wee Sky Blues dominated this game from the outset and O'Brien went close early on before Carley put in a good cross for Mark Cochrane to volley home superbly
.
Cochrane then slid home a through ball from O'Brien to notch his second goal.
As the second half began, a lucky break sent the Plunkett striker through and he gave Mark Wilkinson no chance soon following this with a second. As Ballymena made some changes Plunkett quickly added a third.
Shellshocked United never gave up however and captain Andrew Heaney shot in from distance as they finished the stronger of the two sides. MOM - Mark Cochrane.
LISBURN INVITATIONAL YOUTH LEAGUE
United U-11 2, Loughgall U-11 1: Playing their first competitive game since December 12, Ballymena produced a great performance over a much improved Loughgall.
From the kick off Ballymena took the game to Loughgall but could not create any
clear-cut openings until 15 mins in when Matthew Logan fired home from the edge of the box after some good build up play involving Lee McAllister, Jordan Hassan and Peter Rankin.
Loughgall's first effort on goal on 20 mins produced a fine save from Owen Best who up until this point was a virtual spectator however their was nothing he could do when Loughgall equalised on the stroke of half time.
Loughgall had an excellent chance to take the lead when they were awarded a disputed penalty after Paddy Quigg was adjudged to have handled the ball, however, Best came to his rescue when he produced a fantastic save from the resultant spot kick.
This seemed to spur Ballymena on and midway through the half they eventually took the lead when the excellent Sam Armstrong scored with a magnificent strike.
United U-12 6, Lisburn Distillery U-12 1: Ballymena started slowly and although they battled well found themselves 1-0 down after 10 minutes.
Leading from the front, Christopher Rock and Stanislav Pulko constantly caused the Distillery defence problems and their endavour was rewarded before half time they each scored excellent goals to put the wee sky blues ahead at half time.
Ballymena started the second half as they finished the first, playing a quick passing game and it wasn't long before Distillery found themselves 3-1 down when Rock got his second from the edge of the box. Ballymena continued to play a high tempo game which the opposition couldn't cope with and it wasn't long before the front two added another goal each to their tally and made it 5-1.
This was an excellent team performance by the sky blues which was capped off when captain Michael Hagan finished from just inside the 18 yard box after taking a quick corner with Benji Agnew and driving towards goal.
United U-16 4, Glentoran U-16 0: Ballymena overcame a very strong Glentoran side on Saturday with an excellent all round team performance.