Mallards 1 Sion Swifts 1

Ballinamallard Youth hosted Sion Swifts at the Bawnacre for their first home game in over a month.

The Mallards have faced Sion twice this season, losing out on both occasions, so they were determined to defeat their close rivals.

It was the away side who controlled the early stages. Keeper Noble had to be on his toes as he bravely gathered a low cross at the feet of a striker.

After a few early scares, the home side soon began to get the ball down and play to their strengths. Jones and Irvine were controlling the midfield and Holder and Keaney were making inroads down the flanks.

Sion grew frustrated as the half wore on and their only option was a long punt down field.

The new look centre half pairing of Crawford and Toal took some time to bed in but they were strong in the tackle and distributed the ball superbly.

The best chance of the half fell to Niall Owens. The tricky striker created a yard of space for himself and he saw his effort ricochet off the crossbar and out for throw.

The teams went into the half time interval all square at 0-0.

It was Sion who took an undeserved lead. Holder was penalised for a handball on the edge of the area. Noble could only parry the resulting free kick and it was headed into an empty net.

Manager Sam Gamble responded by throwing on Darragh McGrath and the introduction of the right winger changed the game.

McGrath earned his side a corner after good work down the right. Callum Jones continued his stunning run of form as he curled the corner straight past the keeper. A wonderful goal from the gutsy midfielder.

The Mallards dominated the rest of the tie and will feel aggrieved to have only earned a point for their efforts.

McGrath pounced on a loose clearance and saw his header saved by the keeper. He followed up and saw his effort tipped round the post by the Sion netminder.

McGrath then swung in a stunning cross for Gallagher who failed to hit the target. The final chance of the game fell to Gallagher as he found time and space in the area. Unfortunately the striker could only fire his effort straight at the keeper.

It was an entertaining game for the large crowd who had gathered at the Bawnacre.  The tie was sensibly refereed by Dessie Kerr.

The home side continue their league campaign with a home tie against Ridgeway Rovers next Saturday with kick off at 12.30.

Ryan Keaney 6 Niall Owens 10 Jake Browne 7 Jake Irvine 7 Darragh 1 Curtis 2 Callum 4 Oisin Houston Jack Alex 5 Ben Daire 1 Mark Pearse 1 Ross Josh B Nathan Michael 5 Brandon 1 Seanie Josh Toal 2

Ballinamallard Youth made their third trip to the Belfast area in three weeks as they travelled to face Immaculata in the NIBFA Cup.

The Mallards were on an impressive run of form and had not been defeated since early December.

It was obvious to all those in attendance that the conditions were going to play a major part in the outcome of the tie as a gale force wind swirled around the Grovsenor Road venue.

The Mallards, playing with the wind at their backs, dominated the early stages and were rewarded with a goal.

Irvine, returning from injury, calmly lobbed the goalkeeper to give the Mallards the lead.

However, the conditions were wreaking havoc on what had promised to be an exciting cup tie.

Immaculata were struggling to clear their lines and the Mallards were seeing their passes miss their intended targets due to the ferocious wind.

The away side were unable to add to their tally in the first half. Their closest opportunity to grab a second was when Jones rifled in a stunning corner and Toal thundered a header off the bar.

At half time the Mallards were told to stick to their task of defending resolutely and passing the ball on the ground whenever possible.

The early stages of the second half saw an onslaught from the home side as they tried to get back into the tie.

Keeper Joshua Brownlee made a number of impressive stops to keep the Mallards in the lead.

However, the home side soon grabbed an equaliser. The tricky McGinley worked space on the left and cut inside and unleashed an effort into the bottom corner. Brownlee made a superb stop but an Immaculata forward was quick to pounce and levelled the scores.

This goal seemed to inspire the young Mallards as straight from the kick off they put pressure on the home side.

With ten minutes remaining the Mallards scored one of the goals of the season. Irvine took control of possession in the centre of the park. He passed with precision to McGrath who took on the home defence and slotted through Alex Holder.

Holder still had plenty of work to do but he cut inside onto his left foot and rifled a stunning effort into the top corner. 2-1 to the Mallards.

At this stage the home side went route one and began to launch long balls into the Mallards box. Toal, Smyth and Jones were repelling everything Immaculata threw at them.

However, with only seconds left the referee blew for a free kick as Holder slid through and won the ball.

With a gale at their backs, Immaculata rifled a free kick past the helpless Brownlee to leave it 2-2 and put the tie into extra time.

The Mallards backroom staff provided words of encouragement for the Mallards and stated that this tie was there for the taking.

With minutes remaining the first period of extra time the away side were awarded a free kick. Jones stepped up from about forty yards out. The home keeper parried his effort and Jake Browne pounced to put the Mallards ahead.

In the second period of the extra time the Mallards once again had to play against a strong gale and they defended superbly.

Lead by skipper Oisin Smyth, the Mallards dealt with anything the home side could throw at them.

In fact playing against the wind the Mallards grabbed a crucial fourth goal. Niall Owens worked space on the left and played through Ryan Keaney. Keaney bamboozled the home defence and nutmegged the onrushing keeper and slid the ball into an empty net. 4-2 to the Mallards.

With minutes remaining the home side grabbed a third goal to leave a nervous couple of minutes for the away side.

However, the young Mallards held on and remain Ballinamallards sole representative in the NIBFA Cup.

This was a stunning performance and every member of the panel played their part. Playing in tricky conditions the Mallards played with real passion and desire. This win leaves the Mallards in the last sixteen of the competition and they will be hoping for a home draw in the next round.

BALLINAMALLARD Under 12s made yet another long journey to Lisburn in their first league game since the early stages of December. Manager Sam Gamble had left one or two of his panel at home to recuperate and prepare for next weeks cup game, so it was a chance to shine for several of the squad.
The bumpy surface at Ballymacoss certainly did not suit the skills of the Mallards but they persevered and battled well throughout. Callum Jones was dominant in the centre of the park despite the height difference between him and his Lisburn opponents. Time and time again Jones broke up the play and helped out his defence.
The Mallards had the opening chance of the half when Coalter worked some space down the right. Holder played the ball into Ross Slevin, who saw his volley well saved by the Lisburn Youth keeper.
The home side were starting to get the ball forward but Toal, Smyth, Kennedy and Kinnear were superb and defended resolutely.
With the scores level at half time, the Mallards made all three subs. On came diminutive striker Michael Gallagher, winger Keaney and Pearse McNabb.
The Mallards were on top for large period of the second half. Keaney and Holder were both making darts into the area but the final ball was missing.
Gallagher was giving the Lisburn rearguard all sorts of problems with his movement and hold up play. With five minutes left both sides went in search of that elusive goal. Lisburn were first to attack as they made their way into the box and Noble pulled off a superb save to his right to deny the home side.
The home side were trying to break down the flanks but McNabb and Kinnear were both solid in the tackle. 
With the last kick of the game the Mallards attacked with pace and power. Keaney worked some space down the left after good play from Browne and Gallagher.  Niall Owens connected with the cross and fired a stunning effort towards the bottom corner. Unfortunately for the away side the Lisburn keeper pulled off an amazing reflex save to leave the scores level.
Coaches Sam and Dessie Gamble were delighted with the battling qualities shown by this young side. The side must learn that with every team and pitch you must adapt to the conditions. It was a valuable lesson for the Mallards and a well earnt point.
They have enjoyed a superb debut season at eleven a side with only four losses in both league and cup all season. Further proof that this is side capable of mixing it with the very best.
Next weekend the Mallards travel once again to Belfast to face Immaculata in the 2nd round of the NIBFA Cup.

Super sub Gallagher puts young Mallards through

Ballinamallard Under 12s travelled to Belfast on Saturday to take on Ridgeway Rovers in the first round of the League Cup.

Playing into a very stiff breeze in the first half, the young Mallards started the brighter of the two teams with Niall Owens creating two excellent chances running through on goal. Unfortunately on both occasions the busy Rovers keeper saved both of his efforts. After this early scare the home side settled down and played some excellent football and with the wind at their back they were able to put the Mallards under sustained pressure for most of the half.

They did have two half chances; one that sailed perilously close to the crossbar and the second that was well collected by Josh Brownlee in the Mallards goal. Much to their credit the back four of Mahon, Toal, Smith and Houston held out resolutely until the break. Just before the half time whistle the Mallards did find the net but Darragh McGrath's fine effort was ruled offside.

In the second half the game was marred by some nasty off the ball incidents by the home side, which the referee somehow missed. This caused the game to turn quite sour and the referee tried to stamp his authority on the game by issuing two totally unnecessary red cards.

In the second half the home side were well pegged back with Brandon Horan running through several times on goal but again the referee blew for offside from all of 40 yards away. Jake Irvine also had a great chance as he collected the ball in his own half and beat player after player to get to the by line when he fired into the side netting.

Late in the second half the Mallards were forced into a change with Irvine retiring hurt. He was replaced by Browne who brought some added impetus to the midfield and allowed Horan to forage more up front.

With minutes remaining and the game looking like it was going to extra time the Mallards were awarded a free kick on the left hand touch line. Stand in manager Dessie Gamble took some useful advice from his assistant and sent Josh Toal into the box. Callum Jones blasted the free kick into the edge of the 6 yard box where Toal flicked the ball to the back post where substitute Gallagher calmly struck the ball to the keepers right hand side.

The referee soon blew the whistle only minutes later much to the relief of the travelling support and management team. 

Mallards goalscorers 2011/2012 - Update
Ryan Keaney 5 Niall Owens 10 Jake Browne 6 Jake Irvine 7 Darragh 1 Curtis 2 Callum 3 Oisin Houston Jack Alex 4 Ben Daire 1 Mark Pearse 1 Ross Josh B Nathan Michael 5 Brandon 1 Seanie Josh Toal 2