United’s teams at under-13 age group continue to catch eye

Ballymena United Youth Academy has worked hard to attract the very best young talent in the area to the club at the 2002 age group.
Ballymena United Youth Academy u11 who faced Coleraine on Saturday.Ballymena United Youth Academy u11 who faced Coleraine on Saturday.
Ballymena United Youth Academy u11 who faced Coleraine on Saturday.

The Sky blues are unique in having two sides at this level,both squads have put in some eye catching performances already this season.

On Saturday the Lisburn League side were the star turn with a superb display, scoring eight without reply as they progressed in the Lisburn Shield. Their compatriots in the Subway National League were not to be outdone and defeated a previously unbeaten Crusaders at the Showgrounds to maintain their 100% start to the season.

The under 14’s lost out narrowly to Portadown while the 15’s impressed the neutrals with some superb play against Cliftonville, and were unlucky to lose out after dominating.

The 12’s had no game while there were two derbies at opposite ends of the age spectrum. The 11’s lost out to an impressive Coleraine outfit, the senior under 16’s claiming the away win against the Bannsiders in a five goal thriller.

LISBURN SHIELD

BUYA U-13 8, Carrick Rangers 0: Ballymena opened the scoring from their first attack as a great one two by Dylan Robinson and Jacob Logan on the left ended with a good cross to find the feet of James McClean whose first time shot found the back of the net.

A minute later McClean got his name on the score sheet again.

With six minutes played McClean returned the favour by setting Neeson on a run before he finished and in the 20th minute Jacob Logan scored with a great left footed volley.

Jason Magee adds his name to the scoresheet when his shot found the bottom corner and Dylan Robinson scored the last goal before the half time break with a great run and strike.

It took until the 46th minute to add another goal as great passing between Jude Currie and Neeson saw the move end with a great outside foot shot by Currie.

The last goal of the game came on the 49th minute. Jude again getting his name on the score sheet.

NORTH WEST YOUTH LEAGUE

Coleraine Academy U-11 3, BUYA U-11 1: Coleraine opened the scoring early and went two up shortly into the second half and increased their lead to three from a corner. Ballymena got a deserved goal from a superb strike from the impressive Mark Lowry.

SUBWAY NATIONAL YOUTH LEAGUE

BUYA U-13 4, Crusaders 1: Both sides started this game unbeaten but it was the home side who took the lead through the impressive Lewis Mearns.

Crusaders got themselves level but Mearns again stepped up and give the home side a half time advantage.

After the break, midfielder Sean McAllister arrived on the end of a good passing move to score from just outside the box and an equally impressive finish from Matthew Lorimer sealed victory.

Portadown Youth U-14 3, BUYA U-14 1: Ballymena’s defence was breached by a soft goal, when a free kick was driven in low and hard was not cleared but Aodhan Gillen collected the ball from the kick out, held off 2 challenges, and sent in a sweet looping shot from 25 yards.

The ports delivered a killer blow with just seconds left on the clock, a soft free kick wasn’t cleared and the third goal - which Ballymena protested looked offside - killed the game off.

BUYA U-15 1, Cliftonville U-15 2: AA poor bobbly surface did neither side any favours and the north Belfast somehow found themselves two goals up. Stephen McColgan got his fifth of the season but despite hitting the frame of the goal a number of times, the equaliser would not come.

Coleraine U-16 2, Ballymena United U-16 3: Ballymena had the first opportunity to score from the penalty spot but it was well saved.

It wasn’t long before Ballymena did take the lead when Jack Walshe skillfully went past two defenders and passed to Sam Armstrong who cooly slotted home.

Ballymena extended their lead when Jack Walshe was again at the heart of things and he squared to Luke Stokeman to score.

Coleraine pulled a goal back but Ballymena restored their two goal lead when Sam Millar drove at the Coleraine defence and scored at the second attempt. Coleraine scored again but Ballymena held on.

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