Under-16s prepare for cup final 'repeat'

On that occasion United were 3-2 winners after a competitive game watched by a big crowd at Ballymacoss in Lisburn and the "Wee Sky Blues" will be hoping for a similar story come May 8. The Under 16s booked their place in the season end showpiece after defeating rivals Newhill Youth 4-0 on Wednesday evening. Saturday saw the Under 16s defeat rivals Glentoran to maintain their seven point lead atop the Lisburn League with six games remaining. Elsewhere the Under 10s rounded off a great week to move back to the top of the South Belfast league after beating rivals North Belfast twice. The Under 11s fell to Shield Winners Banbridge whilst the Under 17s drew with Hillsborough. UNDER-10 North Belfast 1, United 2: The Wee Sky Blues gained the upper hand in the first of two clashes with North Belfast in three days. In an extremely tight game against well organised opposition United went a goal down but had squandered the better chances. A Jack Millar lob sent them level and Mark Cochrane fired in the winner with only five minutes to go. United 4, North Belfast 1: United finished the job off in style as they clinched six points in this double-header game. Yet another two from Mark Cochrane and a long range effort from Leon Carley, along with an own goal sent the Sky Blues back to the top of the table. UNDER-11 United 1, Banbridge 5: Banbridge raced into a three goal lead in the opening ten minutes with three well worked goals. Ballymena rallied and Peter Rankin reduced their advantage with a good finish from 18 yards which gave the Banbridge keeper no chance. The second half saw Banbridge continue to dictate the game although Ballymena worked harder to deny them any time on the ball however they managed to increase their lead as Ballymena tired and two defensive errors were punished. UNDER-16 United 2, Glentoran 0: First defeated third on Saturday as Ballymena completed a successful week with a comfortable victory over Glentoran. It was Ballymena who threatened more going forward and created the best of the early chances when Jay Hamilton saw his free kick come back off the post. As the half wore on, Glentoran’s stout defence was exposed by the pace of Peter Duffin who saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper but the rebound fell at the feet of Conor McKenna to slot home from an acute angle. The combination of McKenna and Duffin linked up again to double the lead as good work and a shot from McKenna saw the keeper save but Duffin was on hand to convert from close range. UNDER-17 United 1, Hillsborough 1: Ballymena will feel they did enough to win this game , after falling behind in the first half but battling back well to create the better of the chances in the second half. They drew level through Dermot McAleese and went on to control the remainder of the game without forcing a winner. THIRDS United III 3, Newry City Wanderers 0: Ballymena reached the final of the league cup after a hard fought match.Ballymena had several chances in the first 20 minutes when Michael Smith hit the woodwork and Neil Lowry brought a good save from the keeper. It was Michael Smith who got the opening goal from the penalty spot after Peter McReynolds was brought down. Ballymena made a strong start to the second half and got their second goal when Lee McCaughern fired home. Michael Smith got the third goal after the ball broke to him in the box to secure a final with Glentoran.