THREE Ballymena teams marched on in various Cup competitions this week, as the Under 12's defeated Celtic Boys on the Showgrounds main arena on Tuesday evening to book their place in the Semi Finals of the Tesco Cup.
Elsewhere the Under 11’s and Under 13’s progressed to the Semi Final stage of the Lisburn League Cup, where they will meet Lisburn Youth and Newhill respectively. In other games the Under15’s and Under16’s narrowly lost out in their Cup Quarter Final
s, whilst the Under10’s, Under12’s and Under14’s recorded convincing league victories.
Tesco Cup Under 13’s Quarter Final
Ballymena United 0 Celtic Boys 0 (7-6 on Penalties)
A big crowd of parents, fans, coaches and even the Ballymena United manager himself turned out to watch Ballymena progress to the Semi Finals of the Tesco Cup. This was a battle of two very evenly matched teams and there was nothing between the sides at full time, nor could anyone find the breakthrough in added time. So it was down to proficiency over 12 yards and after several near misses, Sean Kelly stepped up to send Ballymena through and the despondent holders crashing out.
Under 10
Loughside 2 Ballymena United 8
Ballymena fell behind in this re-run of last week’s fixture, only to come back and record a convincing win against mid-table opponents. Goals from Jake McNeill, Benji Agnew and Connor Pogue put them 3-1 up at Half Time. Ballymena pushed on in the second half and added further strikes from Paul Hughes, a Connor Pogue second and two more from David Calderwood. Victory was sealed by a debut goal from Josh Corry.
Under 11
Greenisland 0 B’mena United 6
Playing against a strong and exposed wind Ballymena spent much of the first period trying to get out of their own half. Chances were few and far between for both sides but Ballymena ‘keeper Kyle Rowe made a sharp save at his near post when called upon. In the second half, with the wind at their back, Ballymena stepped up a gear and took control after Kyle Beggs put them in front from the Penalty spot. Dale Mitchell nodded the second home at the back post from a Michael Watson cross, closely followed by a second Penalty from Beggs.
Mitchell added two more and David O’Brien capped the performance with a late sixth, setting up a Semi-Final clash with Lisburn Youth.
Under 12
Lisburn Wanderers 0 Ballymena United 5
Ballymena were slow to start but took the lead after fifteen minutes when Connor Martin scored from a pinpoint Sean Kelly cross. On the stroke of half time Calum Lindsay turned home a Nial Toner cross to put Ballymena two up. The second half saw Ballymena up their performance and goals from Sean Kelly, Calum Lindsay and Connor Clarke gave them a comfortable victory and ensured there was no hangover from Tuesday night’s cup heroics.
Under 13’
Shankill Juniors 1 Ballymena United 4
The Under 13’s got back to winning ways in style, as they won out in what was a very physical battle against a resolute Shankill side. The match started at a frantic pace with both teams working hard and looking to gain the early advantage over one another.
