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.
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.
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