United under-12s reach last eight of NIBFA Cup

Ballymena United under 12s had a rare game in their home town at the weekend and certainly made home advantage count as they progressed to the quarter finals of the NIBFA Cup.
Ballymena United Youth Academy's Sean McAllister (blue shirt), who captained the Northern Ireland under-13 team in their recent game in Latvia.Ballymena United Youth Academy's Sean McAllister (blue shirt), who captained the Northern Ireland under-13 team in their recent game in Latvia.
Ballymena United Youth Academy's Sean McAllister (blue shirt), who captained the Northern Ireland under-13 team in their recent game in Latvia.

A clean sheet on the day was also pleasing for the 2004 boys and they will hope to progress onto the last four as their good form continues.

The under 13s made the trip to Greysteel on Friday evening to face Londonderry side Ballymoor and recorded an emphatic victory with new signing Harry Foster firing in a hat trick on his away day debut.

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The 11s continued last weeks fine form with another victory in Lisburn while the under 16s were the only senior side in action and lost out to league leaders Linfield despite being in the game for long periods at Crumlin.

In far off fields the Northern Ireland under 13 side recorded two victories in Latvia at the weekend, what a memorable day for the Academy boys involved Sean McAllister and Ross McCausland.

Sean captained his country on the day before scoring two in the opening fixture, Ross was on target himself in the second game before picking up the Man of the Match accolade after an outstanding display.

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BUYA 3, Rathfriland 0: The Tullyglass Hotel Sponsored Under 12s were quick out of the blocks and went ahead very early when Joshua Balmer and Adam Millar combined to set Ben Dallas up for a low drive past the keeper.

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Balmer and the industrious Billy Ewart then teed Millar up for the second.

In the second half Ballymena upped the tempo and Mark Lowry, Balmer and Lewis Tennant all went close.

Balmer who linked superbly thoughout set up Millar for the goal of the game. Going away from goal on the right side he unleashed an unstoppable dipping volley into the top corner - a goal fitting to win any match. MOM - Adam Millar.

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Ballymoor 2, BUYA 11: Racing out of the blocks Taylor Adger, Bradley McCartney and Harry Foster were the star men for United as they looked dangerous on every attack.

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There were goals in total for Adger 4 Foster 3 McCartney 2 and another good goal for Matthew Worthington coupled with an own goal. A man of the match performance in the midfield however from Clough lad Jordan McMullan.

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Linfield 4, Ballymena United 1: An end to end game for half an hour between two impressive sides at Crumlin. The blues took the lead after a goalmouth scramble and United were further disrupted by injuries in the back line shortly after. The reshuffled Sky Blues pressed on but found the going tough despite impressive displays from mainstays Joshua Galloway and the outstanding Adam Neilly.

Michael Stewart also had an excellent game for the Sky Blues, who scored a quality effort after some near footwork from the tireless Pearce McClarnon.