League win for U-16s, but U-10s suffer cup heartache

THERE was joy and disappointment for two Ballymena United Youth Academy sides at the weekend.

The Under 16s enjoyed league success on Saturday as they got the point they needed against Crusaders to win the Lisburn League and in the process go through the whole campaign unbeaten!

A record of 24 wins and 6 draws from 30 games is a fantastic achievement for the squad who now focus on this weeks Cup Final against Crusaders.

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The two had met last month in the Shield Final with Ballymena grabbing a 3-2 win and so this Saturday will be hoping for repeat success and a third trophy of the season! The game has an 11-15 kick off at Ballymacoss playing fields in Lisburn.

Elsewhere the "wee" Under 10s lost out to Lisburn Youth in the final of the George Best Cup at Seaview in front of a big crowd of fans and parents.

However the Academy's youngest side won't be downhearted for long as, following results elsewhere on Saturday, the under-10s were finally confirmed as South Belfast League Champions.

MIDWEEK RESULTS

Monday: Under 11s 4, Lisburn Distillery 3; Under 12s 5, Lisburn Wanderers 1; Under 16s 1, Newhill 1; Under 17s 4, Lower Maze 0.

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Wednesday: Under 12s 2, Dromara 0; Under 16s 1, Lisburn Distillery 1; Under 17s 2, Ards Youth 6.

UNDER-10

United 1, Lisburn Youth 3: The Sky Blues had all the play early on as Cochrane and O'Brien went close before the Lisburn striker rifled in the opener.

From a corner shortly after,O'Brien volleyed in and it was now game on.

United continued to press but Lisburn score on the break to go 2-1 up.

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Try as they might Ballymena could not find the equaliser and in pushing bodies forward, conceded a third late on.

UNDER-12

United 3, Lower Maze 3: The Wee Sky Blues made it seven games unbeaten with a draw against fifth placed Lower Maze.

The opposition started stronger and went one nil up after 3 minutes. Ballymena fought back and equalized through Stanislav Pulko soon after.

Once back on level terms Ballymena pushed on and by half time they were 3-1 up after good finishes from Christopher Rock and Michael Hagan.

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Lower Maze were awarded a penalty early in the second half after a handball in the box. Despite a great save from Shane Gibson and a brave attempt at the rebound, Lower Maze made it 3-2. Ballymena suffered a cruel blow a few minutes from time when they conceded a late equaliser.

UNDER-16

United 2, Crusaders 2: United started nervously and fell behind to a well finished chip over goalkeeper Chris Bradley.

The goal gave an added urgency to the performance and after Peter Duffin went close twice, great link up between Conor McKenna and Dermot McAleese saw the latter finish superbly into the bottom corner of the net.

With a draw enough to win the league, United played well within themselves but were forced to chase the game again when Crusaders scored direct from a free kick to edge in front early in the second half.

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The Sky Blues stepped up the pressure and got the all important goal 17mins from time when Ciaran McFaul headed home after the goalkeeper had blocked his initial effort.

That wasn't the end of the drama as 4 minutes from time Crusaders broke and rounded Bradley only for David Reid to clear the ball off the line and preserve the draw.

Ballymena then lost top goalscorer Conor McKenna as he was harshly sent off for simulation. As a result he now misses this week's cup final.

UNDER-17

United 5, Glenavon 0: The Under 17s rounded their campaign off in style with a destruction of Glenavon.

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Plaudits on the day went to Jamie Davidson who scored a well taken hat-trick but this was a fitting way to finish for a team that has progressed so well over the season.

Ballymena went into half time three up after two Davidson strikes and an own goal.

The scoring was complete in the second period through captain Eoin Gillan and a goal of the season contender from Davidson to grab his hat-trick and finish the season in style.

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