Ballinamallard Under 12s crashed out of the NIBFA Cup away to Ballymena last weekend. The young Mallards produced a lacklustre performance and were easily defeated a by a much hungrier Ballymena side.
The opening stages were a largely cagey affair as neither side could get into any real rhythm. Ballinamallard were getting joy down the flanks early on as Owens and McGrath attempted to move forward with pace.
In what was probably their best spell of the game, the Mallards thought they had grabbed the lead. Jake Browne played a superb through ball to Michael Gallagher who slotted home. Much to the amazement of the away support and backroom staff the referee blew for offside.
The away side never recovered from this setback and they were dealt a further blow as Niall Owens and Jake Irvine clashed heads in an aerial challenge. Owens was forced off for the remainder of the half.
Manager Sam Gamble knew that his side were not performing to the best of their ability and they were told to start the second half with enthusiasm and determination.
However, his young charges failed to listen to his advice as Ballymena scored within seconds of the restart. A long punt forward was not dealt with by the usually solid Mallards rearguard and the home striker slammed home.
This was a huge blow to the away side and they never recovered from going behind. The lack of fight and passion was hugely disappointing in the second half.
Ballymena scored a second when they scrambled home from a corner.
The Mallards only started to play in the final five minutes of the tie as the introduction of Kinnear, Slevin and Coalter added some much needed fight to the side.
It was just going to be one of those days for the away side when they were denied a stonewall penalty. Owens, who recovered from a nasty bump to the head, bamboozled the away defence and was clattered into in the box. Amazingly, the referee, who had his hand out for a penalty kick, played advantage and the chance was lost.
Despite the poor surface and some controversial decisions going against them, the 12s never really got started. The grit, determination and fighting spirit of the first few months of the season as all but disappeared. Some major changes will be made in the starting eleven if there is no immediate change.
The Mallards have a free weekend now and will start preparing for their League Cup quarter final against Sion Swifts.

Niall Owens 13 
Jake Irvine 8
Jake Browne 8
Ryan Keaney 6
Michael Gallagher 6
Alex Holder 5
Callum Jones 4
Curtis Coalter 3
Joshua Toal 4
Daire Bradley 1
Darragh McGrath 1
Brandon Horan 1
Pearse McNabb 1

Ballinamallard Youth produced a stunning performance in their penultimate league game as they defeated local rivals Dungannon.

Played under the temperamental floodlights at the Joe McAree Junior Stadium, the Mallards claimed two quick fire first half goals to claim a 2-0 victory.

The early stages of the tie were dominated by the away side, as the midfield trio of Holder, Irvine and Browne commanded proceedings.


However, Dungannon were always proving strong on the break and Nathan Noble in the Mallards goal made a tremendous reflex save to keep the scores level.

The Mallards soon grabbed a deserved lead when Irvine combined well with Holder. The ball soon made its way to McGrath who played a superb through ball to Gallagher.

The centre forward twisted and turned and shot on goal. The Dungannon netminder could only parry the ball to Jake Browne who lashed home.

It was soon 2-0 to the away side when Niall Owens won a free kick on the left. Callum Jones whipped in a superb free kick. The keeper spilled the ball at the feet of Joshua Toal who hammered the ball high into the net.

Dungannon were desperately trying to find a way back into the game but they found keeper Noble in fine form.

The back four of Kinnear, Smyth, Toal and Jones were winning their battles in defence.

Prior to the half time interval, the Dungannon floodlights went off and the game was delayed until the lights could be restored.

The second half was an uneventful affair as the floodlights continued to flicker on and off.

Nonetheless the Mallards continued to defend resolutely and kept Dungannon at bay.

Indeed, the Mallards should have furthered their lead as Toal saw his effort ricochet off the post.

Gallagher also saw his effort tipped round the post and Keaney was unlucky to see his effort scrambled off the line.

This was the sort of performance that the young Mallards are capable of. Their last league game is against Derry Colts and the management team of Sam and Dessie Gamble will be hoping for another impressive team performance.