United under-10s enjoy 'derby' win over Carniny

SOUTH BELFAST YOUTH LEAGUE

United U-10 2, Carniny Youth U-10 0: An early break from Ballymena saw them awarded a penalty but Lee O'Brien's kick was well saved by the Carniny keeper.

The breakthrough finally came in the second half with Leon Carley firing in a cross which was well finished by substitute Sean Eliott.

Carley again broke down the left soon after and his cross was coolly finished by Mark Cochrane.

United hit the bar as they pushed for a third in a deserved victory for the Wee Sky Blues who now return to the top of the table.

LISBURN JUNIOR INVITATIONAL LEAGUE

United U-11 3, Lurgan Town U-11 0: Ballymena opened the scoring when Calvin Purse slotted home from a Peter Rankin pass. Twenty nine minutes in United broke down the left, the ball reaching Peter Rankin who passed through to Calvin Purse who in turn passed the ball on to Jamie Houston who fired home to make it 2-0.

The game was settled on 45 minutes when a Thomas Campbell shot beat the Lurgan keeper to take the score to 3-0 to complete a great team performance.

United U-12 4, Loughside U-12 1: Ballymena's winning streak continued with a win which was started when Stan Pulko scored on 22 minutes when he latched on to another through ball from Benji Agnew and lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box.

Ballymena extended their lead when Michael Hagan skipped past three Loughside players on the wing and crossed the ball back to Josh Corry on the edge of the 18 yd box who confidently smashed home.

Loughside made it 2-1 with their only shot of the second half but five minutes later the wee sky blues made it 3-1. After a quick one two from at corner, Niall Johnston had a shot cleared off the line to the edge of the box where captain Michael Hagan hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

Ballymena hit their fourth when Pulko slipped the ball through to Benji Agnew on the half way line who ran through and finished confidently.

United U-16, Hillsborough U-16 0: Marksman Conor McKenna gave the Sky Blues the lead in the first half when Caolan Gillan made a smart run at a corner to open space for McKenna to finish at the near post from Corey Price's delivery.

Manager Nigel Law made two tactical changes at half time and the decisive second goal came from a floated Jay Hamilton free kick which was turned in by Eoghan McElhinney.

With time running out Archie Quinn was clipped in the box and he dispatched the penalty to seal the win.

United U-17 5, Hillsborough U-17 0: Ballymena stretched their unbeaten run further with a convincing win.

Going in one up at half time thanks to a back post tap in from Joe Morgan, they took control in the second period thanks to goals from Jamie Davidson (2), Peter "Pizza" McClelland and a late header from Ryan Young.