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.
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.
RSS Feed