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.
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.
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