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.
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.
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