Final League Table on 06.05.09
| Pos |
Team |
PLAYED |
WON |
DRAWN |
LOST |
POINTS |
| 1 |
Ballinamallard Youth |
20 |
10 |
4 |
6 |
34 |
| 2 |
Armagh Celtic |
19 |
8 |
0 |
11 |
24 |
| 3 |
St Mary's |
18 |
6 |
3 |
9 |
21 |
| 4 |
Windmill Stars |
17 |
4 |
6 |
7 |
18 |
| 5 |
Sunnyside |
19 |
4 |
2 |
13 |
14 |
| 6 |
Craigavon City |
19 |
3 |
1 |
15 |
10 |
| 7 |
Moneyslane |
20 |
3 |
1 |
16 |
10 |
Mid Ulster Scorers
Strain (9), Hoy (8), Farrell (7), Edgar (6), Currie (3), Walker (2), Sak (2), Owens (2), Wallace (2), Davison (1), Glenn (1) Houlihan (1), Sheridan (1),
Mid Ulster Results
18.05.09 -- M.U. Cup -- Dungannon 3 - 1 B'mallard Youth a.e.t. @ Omagh Y.S.
Strain.
25.04.09 -- St Marys 2 - 5 B'mallard Youth @ Fairhill, Cookstown
Hoy (2), Farrell (2) & Wallace.
18.04.09 -- Windmill Stars 1 - 2 B'mallard Youth @ Tannaghmore
Hoy & Edgar.
04.04.09 -- M.U. Cup -- Armagh Celtic 0 - 2 B'mallard Youth @ Armagh, Loughall Rd.
Hoy (2)
28.03.09 -- Moneyslane 3 - 1 B'mallard Yth @ Castlecaulfied.
Edgar.
21.03.09 -- M.U. CUP -- Portadown 2 - 4 B'mallard Yth @ Tannaghmore.
Hoy (pen), Farrell (2) & Edgar.
14.03.09 -- Sunnyside 0 - 5 B'mallard Yth @ White City.
Edgar (3), Currie, Glenn.
07.03.09 -- Dungannon Yth 4 -1 B'mallard Yth @ White City.
Hoy.
28.2.09 -- B'mallard Youth 0 - 2 Donegal Celtic @ Kernan
14.02.09 -- B'mallard Youth 4 - 1 Moneyslane @ Tannaghmore
Strain, Davison, Owens, Wallace.
17.01.09 -- B'mallard Youth 1 - 2 Cookstown @ Ferney Park
Farrell.
29.11.08 -- St Marys 0 - 0 B'mallard Youth @ White City
15.11.08 -- Portadown Youth 4 - 4 B'mallard Youth @ Kernan.
Walker (2), Farrell & Currie.
08.11.08 -- Limavady Youth 1 - 0 B'mallard Youth @ D'gannon White City
01.11.08 -- Armagh Celtic 1 - 6 B'mallard Youth @ Armagh, Loughhall Rd.
Strain (3), Sak (2), Currie (1).
18.10.08 -- Sunnyside 0 - 3 B'mallard Youth @ Kernan.
Strain, Farrell & Owens.
04.10.08 -- Craigavon City 2 - 1 B'mallard Youth @ Tannaghmore.
Houlihan
27.09.08 -- Glenavon 1 - 1 B'mallard Youth @ Tannaghmore.
Strain.
20.09.08 -- Newry Celtic 2 - 3 B'mallard Youth @ LPP.
Strain (2) & Sheridan.
13.09.08 -- Windmill Stars 1 - 1 B'mallard Youth @ Kernan.
Hoy.
Windmill Stars 1 – 2 Ballinamallard Youth 18.04.09
B’mallard showed the effects of the previous night’s match with a sluggish first half in which they barely strung a series of passes together. Matthew McConkey came closest with a header over the bar and Johnny Hoy’s shot just missed the upright but Niall Wallace and Adam Davison in defence were constantly under pressure. Windmill opened the scoring when a ball, not properly cleared was hooked over Andrew Nevin and into the net. Nevin made another good save with his feet and John Currie had an effort tipped over but the Mallards were fortunate to enter the break only 1 – 0 down after this dismal performance.
A much improved B’mallard emerged from the break with McConkey again coming close with another header and play being condensed into Windmill’s half with a number of half chances being created. With 5 minutes remaining the Mallards got the deserved equaliser and it was Hoy who maintained his recent scoring streak with a stunning strike from outside the penalty area after good work by Charlie Mitten and Edgar. Some frantic defending from Windmill appeared to have denied the Mallards a victory but in the last minute a Wallace corner was met by Edgar at the back post and his towering header found the net to reward an excellent second half performance.
Moneyslane 3 – 1 B’mallard 28.03.09
Wasteful finishing, especially in the first half led to this surprising defeat to lowly Moneyslane. Following a tight opening 10 minutes the Mallards took control and shots reigned down on the Moneyslane goal. John Edgar, Bryan Owens, Lee Walker and Andrew Farrell all had efforts saved but too often the decisive final ball was missing as good opportunities came to nothing. Owens found the net with a tremendous volley but this was ruled out for offside. With 10 minutes remaining Edgar opened the scoring after a goal keeping error but the expected goal avalanche didn’t come and on the stroke of half time Andrew Nevin pulled off a good save but the ball fell to a opponent who chipped into the open net to score an unlikely equalise.
With the wind at their backs the second half was more even but again the Mallards were creating the chances with Owens having a fierce shot parried, John Currie just failing to connect from close in and Edgar having several shots go narrowly over. With 15 minutes remaining Moneyslane took the lead after a good passing move resulted with the ball being slipped under Nevin from close in. The Mallards were getting into some good position but again wayward shooting and a poor final ball were letting them down. With minutes remaining Moneyslane ensured the 3 – 1 victory with the ball being forced over the line despite a gallant effort from Louis Leonard.
Portadown 2 – 4 B’mallard aet M.U.Cup 21.03.09
B’mallard twice had to come from behind before finally overcoming Portadown in a thrilling Mid Ulster cup match on Saturday. Portadown took the lead on 10 minutes with an unstoppable volley from the edge of the penalty area but within 5 minutes Johnny Hoy levelled from the spot after Andrew Farrell had been brought down by the keeper. There was no further scoring and few chances between the two evenly matched teams before half time.
The Mallards were caught cold on the break seconds after the restart and fell 2 – 1 behind with a well taken goal. For the first time in the game the Mallards dominated play and were unlucky when Konrad Sak’s effort was blocked and John Edgar’s follow up was deflected over the bar. The excellent Ruairi Corrigan hit a free kick over the bar and Farrell’s shot was tipped onto the bar and away to safety as the Mallards pressed for an equaliser. With 10minutes left the ball fell to Edgar who hit a superb strike from 25 yards in off the underside of the bar to level again. Hoy had a shot parried away for a corner and Louis Leonard’s header drifted over but in the final minute Andrew Nevin pulled off a brilliant one handed save to force extra time.
At the start of extra time Portadown wasted a great chance to again take the lead but this would prove to be their last opportunity as the Mallards finished strongly. The lively Farrell gave the Mallards the lead when he latched onto Lee Walker’s pass through the static defence and slotted the ball under the keeper. The Mallards controlled the remainder of the game and Farrell got his second after closing down the hesitant keeper and scrambling the ball home.
B’mallard Yth 5 – 0 Sunnyside 14.03.09.
B’mallard took all 3 points in a windswept game at Dungannon on Saturday. Right from the start the Mallards took control with the midfield of John Currie, Bryan Owens, Andy Farrell and Konrad Sak dominating possession and winning most of the 50/50 balls. Despite this, few clear cut chances were being created and it wasn’t until just before half time that the Mallards got the breakthrough. Farrell and Currie combined well on the left and John Edgar took his chance from the edge of the penalty area to make the half time score 1 – 0.
The Mallards had more of a cutting edge in the second half with Sak setting up Currie for a good finish within minutes of the restart. Lee Walker had a shot headed off the line and Edgar hit a post before the Mallards added a third following a flowing more. Stephen Bruce in midfield passed wide to Mark Glenn whose cross was met by Edgar with a sweet left foot shot. Glenn got on the end of a Johnny Hoy cross to make it 4 – 0 and Edgar secured the 5 – 0 victory and his hat trick in the dying minutes after being put through by Glenn.
B’mallard 0 – 2 Donegal Celtic 28.02.09
Donegal Celtic went into this game at Craigavon as strong favourites against a severely under strength B’mallard team but with 15 minutes gone Celtic had been restricted to a few long range shots. The Mallards were fortunate not to go behind after a glaring miss from a few yards out but gradually grew in confidence and Johnny Hoy almost opened the scoring with a 25 yard free kick which squirmed under the keeper but away to safety. On 25 minutes this bad tempered affair erupted with a Celtic player being sent off for a head butt. Immediately following this a Hoy free kick was met by Niall Wallace whose header went narrowly wide. Bryan Owens shot wide as the Mallards poured forward and Celtic had a second player sent off when Lee Walker was cynically brought down when through on goal. Just before the break Hoy provided a cross from the right but Owens header missed the target.
Five minutes into the second half Hoy’s 30 yard free kick went over the bar but despite the Mallards numerical advantage Celtic came more into the match and scored the opener with a header after poor marking at a corner. The game descended into a messy affair in an increasingly hostile atmosphere and there was a stoppage as Owens needed treatment for a facial injury. Andrew Sheridan in nets made a good block with his feet but with 10 minutes remaining a ball across the Mallard back line was intercepted and a good strike gave Celtic their second which sealed the game. The game also included 3 other yellow cards to Celtic but to their credit the Mallards maintained their discipline.
B’mallard 4 – 1 Moneyslane 14.02.09
B’mallard got back to winning ways after the enforced break with this comprehensive victory over Moneyslane and but for the woodwork the score would have been more emphatic. On 5 minutes the lively Lee Walker shot into the side netting and minutes later he struck the post with a back post header. John Joe Strain and Walker were a constant threat up front and Strain was unlucky when he saw hit 18 yard shot hit the inside of the post and bounce across the goal line and away to safety. Walker again hit the side netting from a difficult angle and Louis Leonard’s header from the impressive Niall Wallace’s delivery just missed the target. With half time approaching the Mallards got the breakthrough when a through ball from Charlie Mitten found Strain and he comfortably beat the last defender and stroked the ball under the out coming keeper.
Seconds after the restart Moneyslane got an unlikely equaliser following a back post header from a corner. Within a minute the lead was restored when Wallace latched onto a goalkeeping mistake to hammer home from 6 yards. On 10 minutes Andy Farrell went narrowly wide and at the other end Andrew Nevin was forced into making his first save of the match from a powerful volley. With 15 minutes remaining Adam Davison’s towering header from another dangerous Wallace corner gave the Mallards a 3 – 1 lead. Like Strain in the first half Farrell was unlucky not to score when his powerful 20 yard dive hit the inside of the post and bounced across the goal line to safety. In the dying minutes the hard working Bryan Owens was brought down in the penalty area and he successfully converted the spot kick to give the Mallards a deserved 4 – 1 win.
St Marys U16’s 0 – 0 B’mallard 29.11.08
Poor finishing and refereeing resulted in the Mallards dropping 2 points in a game they dominated from the start. In the opening minute Lee Walker intercepted a back pass but his shot hit the post with the keeper stranded. A well worked free kick saw the St Mary’s keeper tip over a Johnny Hoy shot and Louis Leonard also brought out a good save. Ben Brown, Niall Wallace and Charlie Mitten were rarely troubled in defence and Walker and Brian Owens on the wings were always a threat. Five minutes before the break a Walker corner was met with a towering header by Hoy into the roof of the net but this was harshly ruled out for pushing by the St Marys referee. John Edgar and Walker both had further efforts saved but for all their dominance the half time score remained 0 – 0.
St Mary came more into the game in the second half but the Mallards continued to create and miss opportunities. John Currie’s cross from the left was met by Owens but his shot from 6 yards went over the bar with the keeper well beaten. In the space of 10 minutes the Mallards were awarded two free kicks in dangerous positions but Edgar and Owens both failed to test the keeper. At the other end a St Marys free kick narrowly missed the post. Several offside decisions went against the Mallards when in dangerous positions and they again hit the post with 10 minutes remaining following a goalmouth scramble. Despite their domination they were unable to break the deadlock and the score finished 0 - 0.
Limavady 1 – 0 Ballinamallard 08.11.08
B’mallard U16’s gave a battling performance with a depleted squad but came up short against a physically stronger Limavady on Saturday. Limavady dominated the early play and took the lead on 10 minutes after a dangerous cross into the B’mallard penalty area was inadvertently deflected by Andrew Farrell into his own net. Limavady surged forward with Ben Brown, Adam Davison, Charlie Mitten and Niall Wallace at the back remaining solid under constant pressure. It was 20 minutes before the first threatening Mallards attack and it was the lively John Joe Strain who dragged his shot just wide of the post. In the remaining 10 minutes of the half the possession was shared but neither side could find the net.
A much improved second half display saw the Mallards come more into the game and the Limavady keeper did well to keep out a deflected shot. Farrell was pushed further forward and chances were being created. A Konrad Sak cross hit the angle and Strain had shots blocked but Limavady’s speedy breaks were a constant threat and from one of these Andrew Nevin did well to tip a close range volley over the bar. Further injuries to Davison and Strain blunted the Mallards attack but in the final minute they thought they had snatched a point with a strong appeal after the ball appeared to go over the line but to their dismay a goal was not awarded.
Armagh Celtic 1 - 6 Ballinamallard Youth 01.11.08
B’mallard took only three minutes to take the lead in this game which they dominated for all but 10 minutes of this game. It came from a long kick out from Andrew Sheridan which was headed on by Konrad Sak who was making his first start for the Mallards. The ball fell invitingly to John Joe Strain who beat the last defender and stroked the ball home. The Mallards got their second when Sak again set up Strain who hammered home from a tight angle. At this stage the Mallards were completely in control and it was no surprise when they scored their third with another through ball from Sak. The Celtic keeper was first to the ball but his clearance was charged down by Strain and he reacted quickly to knock in the rebound and make the half time score 3 – 0.
Armagh Celtic started much the better and within a minute they got their equaliser with a fierce volley from 20 yards. The game swung Celtic’s way and they should have scored again when a free kick fell to an unmarked striker but his shot from 10 yards went over the bar. Ten minutes into the second half keeper Andrew Sheridan tipped another shot onto the bar before the Mallards regained control. Sak deservedly got on the score sheet with a tap in after the keeper could only parry a Johnny Hoy shot and within 10 minutes he got his second in a similar fashion following a John Currie shot which was also parried. Strain became the provider after a strong run and cross from the right was met by Currie who tapped in from 6 yards to make the final score 6 – 1.
Ballinamallard Youth 3 - 0 Sunnyside 18.10.08
Ballinamallard Youth travelled to the Kernan playing fields, Craigavon for the meeting with Sunnyside. From the start the Mallards were the much livelier team, quickly stringing together some neat passing moves. Farrell and Owens dominated midfield and constantly pushed the ball forward to the front pairing of Strain and Hoy. Unfortunately Hoy was to have a frustrating day as several of his efforts missed the target. Strain’s shooting boots were firmly on his feet and there were only 10 minutes on the clock when he opened the scoring. The goal came courtesy an excellent 50 yard cross field pass by Mitten into the path of Strain who easily took the ball round Sunnyside’s defence before slotting it into the bottom right hand corner of the net. The Mallards second goal came 3 minutes later as Strain’s volley flipped off the crossbar into the path of the predatory Farrell who drilled it into the back of the net. Ballinamallard continued to dominate the play with Walker and Wallace creating opportunities for the forwards. But wasted efforts by Strain, Owens and Hoy failed to reward their dominance. Sunnyside defended resolutely and tried to create some chances for themselves however McConkey and Brown dealt with any threat comfortably.
After the restart the Mallard’s inability to convert their dominance and chances in the first half could have proved very costly as Sunnyside had a superb strike on the Mallards goal. Fortunately Keeper Sheridan pulled off an outstanding save to deny Sunnyside their opener. Currie and Walker worked hard in midfield but further misses by Houlihan and Owens added to the Mallards frustration in front of goal. The game was finally put to rest mid way through the second half when the hard working Owens eventually broke his goal famine after collecting an exquisite pass from Walker. Overall this was a solid performance from Ballinamallard with the excellent midfield four controlling the game. The back four also worked well and McConkey showed his versatility with a comfortable performance at centre back partnering the ever reliable Ben Brown. However Ballinamallard will need to reflect on their extravagance in front of goal as against stiffer opposition they would have been severely punished.
Craigavon City 2 - 1 Ballinamallard Youth 05.10.08
Ballinamallard travelled to Tannaghmore on Saturday morning after winning the Brendan Keogh U-15 League Cup the previous night in Omagh. However it was an injury hit team that travelled with 7 of the squad missing. A reshuffle saw several players in positions which they would not normally play in and Conrad Zak, Alonso Houlihan and Ronan McDonough all make the starting team. Craigavon was a physical outfit but composed tackling by McDonough and McConkey at the back saw off some early opportunities for Craigavon. Sheridan was installed at left back and Mitten moved across to partner McConkey at centre back. The team was dealt a further injury blow when Hoy who had started brightly, showing early promise had to be replaced as a result of a hip injury after 7 minutes. Fortunately Walker was available and slotted into Hoy’s midfield role. The early exchanges were dominated by Craigavon but determined play by the Mallards and strong runs by Sheridan from left back saw them weather the early storms. However a defensive error saw the ball poorly cleared and a Craigavon forward fired the ball into the back of the net.
The Mallards were galvanized into action and excellent passing interchanges between Walker, Strain and Houlihan saw them threaten the Craigavon goal. The pressure was justly rewarded when Houlihan neatly side- stepped two Craigavon backs to slot the ball calmly past the Keepers left. Back on level par the Mallards continued to press but the final clinical passes needed to reward their effort broke down as tired legs were unable to control the ball in the Craigavon box.
The second half again started brightly for Ballinamallard with the breeze at their backs. However in spite of good forward ball by the back four Zak, Houlihan and Strain were unable to take advantage of it. Wallace, Walker and Currie worked extremely hard at midfield coping with the Craigavon attacks but a further defensive error saw Craigavon take the lead mid way through the second half. Chris Woods came on for Conrad Zak and made an impact up front as he proved quite a handful for the Craigavon backs. The ‘never say die’ attitude of Ballinamallard continued apace but the efforts were to find no reward and Craigavon ran out eventual winners 2 – 1 in a match which on a different day Ballinamallard would have comfortably claimed.
Glenavon 1 – 1 B’mallard @ Tannaghmore 27.09.08
The opening exchanges were physical but fair with both defences ensuring that chances were limited. With 20 minutes gone a Matthew McConkey precision cross to the unmarked John Joe Strain gave the Mallards their first chance but Strain’s header was well saved. This was quickly followed by a Lee Walker volley which narrowly missed the upright. Although possession was shared equally the Mallards were creating the best chances and a Chris Sheridan low drive pulled out the best in the Glenavon keeper. On 25 minutes good build up play between John Currie and Sheridan gave Strain a chance and his 20 yard curling shot found the corner of the net. On the stroke of half time Andrew Nevin made a terrific save low to his left to push the ball out but in the ensuing scramble Niall Wallace was alleged to have fouled a Glenavon player and the resulting penalty was dispatched to leave the half time score 1 – 1.
Both teams had chances to score in the second half with Glenavon missing a good chance and Brian Owens seeing his cross kicked off the line. Strain was denied again by outstanding goalkeeping and a dangerous Ronan McDonough shot was deflected for a corner. Although Nevin in the Mallard goal had a quiet game he was called into action in the dying minutes to deny Glenavon with a superb save.
Newry Celtic 2 – 3 B’mallard @ LPP 20.09.08
B’mallard edged out Newry Celtic in an exciting match which was a game of two halves with the Mallards in total control in the first. John Joe Strain opened the scoring after 20 minutes when he received through ball from Lee Walker. He beat the last defender wide on the left and scored with a shot from a difficult angle. Shortly after he scored a similar goal after a fine pass from Chris Sheridan. The Mallards were causing problems on Celtic’s right side with Niall Wallace at left back setting up many of the attacks. Celtic were thrown a lifeline just before the break when awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. The kick wasn’t dealt with and the ball was scrambled home from six yards.
Ten minutes into the second half John Currie’s penetrating cross field ball was gathered by Sheridan and he drove the ball low into the net to regain the two goal margin. Walker, Johnny Hoy and Scott Byers all missed good chances to increase the lead and these looked costly when Celtic pulled one back when a free kick was deflected past Andrew Sheridan. It was backs to the wall in the remaining ten minutes with the Mallards unable to get out of their own half. Ben Brown in the centre of a reshuffled defence was again outstanding and his experience helped the Mallards survive a few scares and see out the game.
Windmill Stars 1 – 1 Mallards @ Kernan 13.09.08
B’mallard U16’s opened their Mid Ulster campaign with a hard fought draw against Windmill Stars. Andrew Farrell‘s shot over the bar after 20 minutes was quickly followed by a low drive from Lee Walker which narrowly missed the post. The Mallards were creating the chances and playing good football but Windmill threatened on the break and central defenders Charlie Mitten and Ben Brown both made vital interceptions. On the half hour mark Farrell broke from midfield and brought a good save from the keeper but at half time the score remained 0 – 0.
Ten minutes into the second half the Mallards scored the opening goal when a long ball from Ronan McDonough was gathered by Johnny Hoy. His pace and strength took him past the last defender and his powerful shot beat the keeper. Matthew McConkey almost got on the end of a cross at the back post and at the other end a Windmill striker scuffed his shot and Andrew Nevin gather comfortably. Konrad Sak had a shot from the edge of the penalty area go wide but in the final minute Windmill scored an unlikely equaliser. A cross from the right was met by an outstretched foot in the six yard box and the ball struck the underside of the bar and in to give Windmill a share of the points.
