Ballymena United Youth Academy round-up: Last-gasp NIBFA Cup defeat for U-13s

A NUMBER of United’s youth sides were in action at the weekend,the older sides this season competing against some of the province’s top sides in the National League.

The 13s fell at the first hurdle in the NIBFA cup,losing to a late goal at Dungannon.

The 14s were also on their travels while the under 11s and under 12s played out an entertaining friendly against each other in
Ballymena.

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The under 10’s drew with North End in an excellent derby game in the Coleraine League, while their compatriots in the Town side defeated Carniny in a friendly.

COLERAINE LEAGUE

BUYA U-10 1, Northend 1: An enterprising United side tried to play passing football throughout and Richie always looked strong for the Sky Blues at the back.

A physically stronger North End took the lead but United never gave up and scored late with a brilliant headed finish from the impressive Ross McCausland.

BUYA U-10 2, Carniny 0: Another excellent result for the development team who will be boosted by this victory.

LISBURN YOUTH LEAGUE

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BUYA U13 2, Shankill 5: The development under 13’s were leading this game 2-1 at half time with quality goals from Leon Carley and Ethan McKeown.

The Belfast boys fought back well though and United struggled to find their rhythm again in the second period as Shankill showed their experience at this level.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Glendowan 6, BUYA U-14 0: United struggled on the night and were second best as Glendowan showed their quality, finishing well with the chances they created.

United did threaten as Calvin Purse and Ronan Kelly came close but the result was never in doubt.

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BUYA U-15 1, Magherafelt Sky Blues 2: The Sky Blues started the game well dominating the play which paid off when the Blues played the ball from right to left and Daniel Black finished well to take the lead.

The second half started with both teams battling for the ball in midfield but Magherafelt got the breakthrough midway through the half when United made a careless mistake and Magherafelt took their chance.

Two minutes later,they puhed forward again and took the lead. United tried for the equaliser but couldn’t take the chances created. MET MOM was Luke Calderwood .

NIBFA CUP

Dungannon United 3, BUYA U-13 2: Two of the favourites for the National Cup were unlucky enough to be drawn against each other in round one.

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Dungannon went at United early on taking the lead after three minutes as the Skies failed to clear.

It was the Braid boys who then took the game to Dungannon for the rest of the first period and after some good build up play on the left, the ball was squared across where the incoming Steven McColgan did not have to break stride, rifling in an amazing unstoppable shot from fully 35 yards.

United won a free kick and specialist Lorenzo Dawkins curled a lovely effort into the top corner and the Braid boys were looking comfortable.

In the second half, United were amazed when keeper Mark Wilkinson was bundled over the line,the ball cleared,but a Dungannon goal given.

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Nothing seemed to be going in United’s favour and from a late corner the ball was bundled in to leave the Braid boys disappointed at the end of a game they never deserved to lose.

Good performances for United all round but especially Mark Cochrane and Eamon McLaughlin.

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