Ballinamallard Youth Under 12s sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the NIBFA Cup with a stunning 2-0 win at the home of Culmore Youth.
Conditions were far from ideal on the banks of the Foyle and the tie started with a heavy hail stone shower.
The home side were keen to stamp their authority on the tie and dominated the early stages.
The Mallards back four of Kennedy, Toal, Smyth and Jones were solid and defended resolutely.
Solid defensive work allowed the midfield trio of Holder, Irvine and Browne to start dictating the play.
The Mallards soon grabbed the lead half way through the first period. Callum Jones played a superb ball down the line to Niall Owens. Owens weaved in and out crossed for Michael Gallagher, who scrambled the ball home.
Culmore responded by launching a series of attacks but the Mallards rearguard remained strong and keeper Brownlee was not troubled.
The Mallards went into the break one goal ahead and manager Sam Gamble told his charges that the next goal was crucial.
Culmore came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second half but the Mallards defence remained strong. Centre half pairing Joshua Toal and skipper Oisin Smyth were in inspirational form and they repelled everything the Derry side threw at them.
The introduction of Ryan Keaney up front provided the away side with some fresh legs and he led the line superbly.
Right winger Darragh McGrath was back to his rampaging best as he tormented the Culmore defence.
The home side should have equalised with ten minutes remaining. A free kick just twenty yards from goal was awarded. The original effort was cleared by Irvine and a melee in the box followed, as Culmore desperately tried to get themselves into the game.
The Mallards soon broke up the other end of the pitch as McGrath scampered down the right and put in a stunning cross for Irvine. The talented midfielder somehow scooped the ball over the bar with the goal gaping.
However, it was only a matter of time before the away side sealed their place in the quarter-finals.
Sub Curtis Coalter made a strong run down the right and played it inside to Keaney. Keaney slid the ball to Owens who slammed home to make it 2-0.
Subs Seanie Mahon and Ross Slevin made sure of the victory with some gritty tackling.
This had the potential to be a tricky tie for the Mallards. Culmore won the Derry and District League last year and had made easy work of their two previous cup opponents.
The Under 12s are now the only side in the club left in their respective nationwide competitions. The quarter finals will take place on Saturday 17th March.
Conditions were far from ideal on the banks of the Foyle and the tie started with a heavy hail stone shower.
The home side were keen to stamp their authority on the tie and dominated the early stages.
The Mallards back four of Kennedy, Toal, Smyth and Jones were solid and defended resolutely.
Solid defensive work allowed the midfield trio of Holder, Irvine and Browne to start dictating the play.
The Mallards soon grabbed the lead half way through the first period. Callum Jones played a superb ball down the line to Niall Owens. Owens weaved in and out crossed for Michael Gallagher, who scrambled the ball home.
Culmore responded by launching a series of attacks but the Mallards rearguard remained strong and keeper Brownlee was not troubled.
The Mallards went into the break one goal ahead and manager Sam Gamble told his charges that the next goal was crucial.
Culmore came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second half but the Mallards defence remained strong. Centre half pairing Joshua Toal and skipper Oisin Smyth were in inspirational form and they repelled everything the Derry side threw at them.
The introduction of Ryan Keaney up front provided the away side with some fresh legs and he led the line superbly.
Right winger Darragh McGrath was back to his rampaging best as he tormented the Culmore defence.
The home side should have equalised with ten minutes remaining. A free kick just twenty yards from goal was awarded. The original effort was cleared by Irvine and a melee in the box followed, as Culmore desperately tried to get themselves into the game.
The Mallards soon broke up the other end of the pitch as McGrath scampered down the right and put in a stunning cross for Irvine. The talented midfielder somehow scooped the ball over the bar with the goal gaping.
However, it was only a matter of time before the away side sealed their place in the quarter-finals.
Sub Curtis Coalter made a strong run down the right and played it inside to Keaney. Keaney slid the ball to Owens who slammed home to make it 2-0.
Subs Seanie Mahon and Ross Slevin made sure of the victory with some gritty tackling.
This had the potential to be a tricky tie for the Mallards. Culmore won the Derry and District League last year and had made easy work of their two previous cup opponents.
The Under 12s are now the only side in the club left in their respective nationwide competitions. The quarter finals will take place on Saturday 17th March.
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