The spectators at the Bawnacre on Friday evening were provided with an early Christmas cracker as Ballinamallard Under 12s dumped Dungannon Youth out of the Northern Ireland Cup.

This cup tie had everything. There were goals, outstanding pieces of skill and plenty of quality footballers on display.

The home side dominated the early stages of the tie. Jones and Irvine were dominating the midfield and Horan and Browne were working incredibly hard up front.

However, once again the Mallards were punished for poor communication as they failed to clear their lines. Keeper Brownlee was exposed as he came forward to claim and the Dungannon forward nipped in front of him and slotted home.

This is a Ballinamallard side that will fight for every ball and battle for the entire game and they were rewarded only minutes later as Irvine played through Horan and he coolly lobbed the keeper.

It was an enthralling cup tie as both sides were determined to play football in the correct manner.

Dungannon grabbed a second half way through the first half. Once again the forward nipped in front of a Mallards defender and slotted home.

However, the Mallards were determined not to let this mistake affect them. Horan was battling well up front and was fouled as he made a strong run forward. Just about everyone in the ground were expecting a cross into the box. However, Callum Jones thought differently. With around 35 yards between himself and goal, Jones fired a rocket into the top corner. Three in three for the midfielder, who is revelling in his new central midfield role.

The Mallards were now dominating the tie. Owens was using all his tricks down the left hand side. He found Horan in the area and the front man flicked the ball towards goal. The Dungannon keeper made a stunning save to keep the scores level before the half time interval.

The half time team talk was a simple one for the Mallards backroom staff. Keep up the good work and keep playing the ball on the ground.

The second half was a just as exciting as the first. Dungannon dominated the early stages and keeper Brownlee had to be on his toes to keep the Mallards level.

The home side weathered the storm and came out fighting. Jones and Irvine were winning their midfield battles and Holder and Owens were wreaking havoc down the flanks.

The next goal was going to be crucial and the home side grabbed their third goal. Some great interplay between McGrath and Holder saw the tenacious Holder cross into the box. Owens made an intelligent burst into the area and nodded home.

With fifteen minutes left Dungannon threw everything at the home side. Smyth and Toal were strong in the air and strong in the tackle. Full backs Kinnear and Kennedy were two strong contenders for man of the match, as they continued to defend resolutely.

As Dungannon piled more men forward, they left themselves isolated at the back. Substitute Gallagher linked up well with Owens but the winger shot narrowly wide.

Despite Brownlee being forced off with an injury and replaced by Jones in goal, the Mallards held on.

This was the performance of the season for this young side. Time and time again they out fought and out battled their rivals. Credit must go to the entire Mallards panel for their efforts both in training and on the pitch.

Mallards goalscorers 2011/2012 Ryan Keaney 5 Niall Owens 9 Jake Browne 6 Jake Irvine 7 Darragh 1 Curtis 2 Callum 2 Oisin Houston Jack Alex 4 Ben Daire 1 Mark Pearse 1 Ross Josh B Nathan Michael 4 Brandon Seanie Josh Toal 2

Despite suffering their second defeat in row, Ballinamallard Under 12s produced a superb performance against league leaders Linfield.

It was arguably one of the best performances of the season from the young Mallards as they produced a battling performance against a talented Belfast outfit.

Plenty of compliments were handed out following the game from opposition parents and coaches. Former NI midfielder Iain Stewart spoke to coach Sam Gamble after the game and stated that it was the best game of youth football he had seen all season. He also complimented the Mallards on their style of play and praised them for their efforts.

The early stages of the tie were a midfield battle. Irvine, Browne, Holder and Jones were outmuscling their illustrious opponents to every ball.

Owens and McGrath were a constant threat on the break and the Mallards could very well have gone in front.

However, Linfield took the lead following a scramble in the box following a corner kick. The Mallards had defended resolutely from set pieces but a wicked bounce in the box saw Linfield scramble the ball home.

Despite going behind the Mallards responded superbly, Owens raced through on goal following excellent work by Jones. However, the sticky surface prevented Owens from getting a decent effort on goal.

At half time the Mallards were despondent, as they had produced a battling first half performance.

However, wise words from Sam and Dessie Gamble left the Mallards pumped up for the second half.

The Mallards back four had a superb game. Skipper Smyth had his best game of the season at sweeper, as he pounced on any loose ball and distributed superbly.

Kinnear and Kennedy were strong and aggressive in the full back roles. Toal also was growing into the game and was passing the ball out with precision to his midfield.

Unfortunately, Linfield grabbed a second with a ruthless counter attack. The Linfield right winger raced down the right wing and fired home.

Once again this was a major test of the Fermanagh sides character and as they have done all season, they responded superbly. The final ten minutes of the tie were dominated by the Mallards.

Owens raced through on goal once again and fired over when it looked easier to score.

Centre forward Gallagher, who was in sublime form, played in Keaney but he saw his effort blocked by the Linfield rearguard.

The away side were thrown a lifeline moment later. Linfield failed to clear their lines and the keeper raced out and collected a back pass.

Despite having their first effort ruled out, the Mallards punished the Belfast side with a precise free kick. Gallagher played the ball to Jones, who hammered the ball into the roof of the net.

Linfield were in disarray as the Mallards pushed forward. The Mallards with the last kick of the game nearly claimed a deserved draw. Keaney unleashed a thunderbolt from 30 yards, which was saved superbly by the Linfield keeper.

It was just not meant to be.

On another day the Mallards would have came away with a draw and perhaps even all three points.

With league title aspirations all but ended the Mallards will now use this season to develop and continue to play the attractive style of football that they have been so often complimented for.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Ballinamallard Under 12s as they lost out to St Oliver Plunketts at a wind swept Bawnacre.

Playing into a strong wind, the Mallards played some impressive football early on. The midfield of Holder, Browne, Irvine and Jones were aggressive and were winning the midfield battle.

Unfortunately the Mallards were struggling to deal with the gale force wing and the Belfast side took the lead when the Mallards failed to deal with a corner.

The response was superb from the home side. Owens slipped McGrath through but he lost his footing as he was set to power home.

Despite, the deteriorating conditions the home side were clearly on top and should have been level. Only some superb goalkeeping and some lacklustre shooting in front of goal saw the Mallards fail to draw level.

The home side were dealt a killer blow just before the half time interval when yet another corner was not cleared and Plunketts must have thought Christmas had came early, as they were gifted a second.

Manager Gamble and assistants Poots and Keys provided some encouraging words for the young Blues and they responded superbly.

With only two minutes on the clock, Owens broke free in the area and saw his effort palmed round the post. Jones once again powered in a stunning corner which Irvine volleyed in at the back post.

It took the Mallards only moments later to get level. However, it was a controversial decision. An alleged handball in the box saw Jones grab his first of the season as he hammered home to leave it 2-2.

It was all the home side now as Browne, Holder and Irvine surged forward as the Belfast side held on for dear life.

But football is tough game and the Mallards were punished with only five minutes remaining. A long ball was not cleared effectively and the Plunketts forward saw his effort squirm under Nobles body. A killer blow and there was no way back into the game as the Belfast side cleverly ran down the clock with a number of injury stoppages.

Another important lesson learnt by the Mallards and they now have the mouth-watering prospect of facing Linfield next Saturday in Lurgan.

Meet at 2pm at Bawnacre
Kick off is 3pm