Late goal sees United youth reach cup final

Stewart Nixon’s injury time winner took Clifford Adams’ side into the final as they edged past St Oliver Plunkett Youth Club by three goals to two in the semi-final at Seaview.

After some early pressure, United went ahead when a Nixon corner was turned into his own net by a St Oliver Plunkett defender but the Belfast side replied with a close-range finish after United keeper Callum McCabe had kept out a shot.

The Sky Blues went ahead just before the interval when a cross was headed home by Leon Bonnes but again, St Oliver Plunkett levelled when a cross-cum-shot drifted over McCabe and into the net.

Just as extra-time appeared to be looming, Nixon - who has made a number of first team appearances this season - won it for United when his shot bounced in front of the keeper who misjudged the effort on the artificial surface and the ball ended up going in.

Just seconds later, the referee blew the final whistle as a delighted Ballymena side clinched a place in the final against Crusaders.