Under-16's progress to quarter finals of NIBFA Cup

The match was almost not played as a result of a heavy frost which left the pitch hard and much to the surprise of the players and officials the referee agreed to the match going ahead. Coleraine, who only had 11 fully fit players and one substitute, began the match brightly and soon got into their stride forcing Ballinamallard onto the back foot.

With 14 minutes gone a throw in some 35 yards out seemed to pose no threat to Ballinamallard but young Lee Lindsay unleashed a volley into the roof of the net leaving the keeper grasping for air.

Ballinamallard were handed a lifeline on 25 minutes as they were awarded a rather dubious penalty which they converted to level the game.

To their credit the young Bannsiders didn’t let it affect them and they went straight on the attack from the restart with Danny Dylan showing some neat skill before releasing David Healey, who rifled the ball home just 35 seconds after Ballinamallard had equalised.

Coleraine came closest in the second half to adding to the score with Conor McNamee unlucky not to score late on as a defender got in the way of his goal bound shot.

With only minutes to go Ballinamallard threw everything into trying to get an equaliser but the Bannsiders held out to secure victory and proceed into the hat for the quarter final draw.

Speaking after the match coach Damian McNamee said: “The boys stuck to their task well and we deserved the win, a lot of players were playing out of their normal position but they worked hard and we got our rewards.”

U9’s

Coleraine Under-9's met Coleraine Under-10's in the league on Saturday.

Luke McKendry scored first, opening a very competitive game between the two sides. The second goal came from Andy Whiteside and the U9's were starting to get a grip on the game.

Luke McKendry scored again making it 3-0. In the second half, Andy Whiteside scored again making it 4-0. Shortly after Luke McKendry scored making it a hat trick and then made way for new signing Alexander Gawn who made an immediate impact and scored his first goal for the U9's, before Nathan Phillipson made it 7-1.

The U9's would like to wish the U10's keeper, Joshua Dunn, a speedy recovery after sustaining a facial injury during the match. Get well soon Joshua! Man of the Match: Eamon Devaney.

The Under 9’s Colts got off to a great start pushing and probing the Under 10’s midfield and defence. The breakthrough for the Under 9’s came with another attack on the Under 10’s goal and Saul Tomb scored.

The start of the second half saw the Under-10’s put more pressure on the Under 9’s and they got a breakthrough to make it 1-1.

The Under 10’s pushed on and scored two more goals that Cain Arthur could do nothing about to make it 1-3.

The Under 9’s never gave up hope and soon made it 2-3 when Saul Tomb scored his second of the game. The Under 9’s kept on and were unlucky not to get another goal.

Man of the Match: Saul Tomb.

U11’s

After almost two months without a league match the Academy Under11s resumed to winning ways against Dungannon in the Mid Ulster Youth League.

Aaron Doherty scored four in the opening 20 minutes and two from Kenny Kane gave Coleraine a 6-0 lead at half time. Coleraine rung the changes at half time and with the opportunity to try a different setup. Lewis Mitchell and Kenny Kane made way for Finley Bacon and Jordan Gregg in a re-shuffled pack.

Dungannon started the second half well and with 10 minutes gone scored their first goal giving Callum no chance with the shot. Coleraine immediately struck back and made it 7-1 with a great move and fine finish by Jordan Gregg. Coleraine made three more changes, replacing Griffin, Callum and Glen with Finley Bacon, Jordan and Craig Pollock.

Having used all their subs Coleraine went down to ten men as Adam MacKay picked up a hamstring injury before Dungannon pulled another goal back.

A very satisfactory performance from the Coleraine side, next up is their last 16 match NIBFA Cup game away to St Oliver Plunket.

Congratulations to both Kenny Kane and Sheldon Woods who have been invited to train with Manchester United Soccer Academy.

U12’s

Coleraine Academy U12`s travelled to league leaders Magherafelt Sky Blues on Saturday.

Curtis Rodgers and Jordan Walker went closest for Coleraine with Tom Hegan again proving his worth in the Bannsiders goal with a couple of good stops.

The second half continued in the same vein as Curtis Rodgers got put through by William Millar to get by the defender but the right back denied him with a great block.

Joshua Waddell had a long range effort well saved. Curtis Rodgers was then put through again one and one with the keeper but for the referee to award an offside, this then again happened on two more occasions which annoyed the travelling support and coaches as the game finished 0-0.

Man Of The Match: Joshua McGregor.

U13’s

Coleraine Academy U13's finally got back to playing football on Saturday, against Omagh in the Mid Ulster League in Dungannon.

This was the boys first outing of the new year after a break of two months due to the bad weather. Omagh started the game the better and played the opening period of the game camped in the Coleraine half.

After 10 minutes Omagh opened the scoring with the ball being looped up into the air and over the advancing Coleraine keeper into the net. Omagh continued to dominate and 10 minutes later it was 2-0. This finally wakened the Coleraine lads up and they started to press, but they couldn't break down the Omagh defence.

Coleraine stepped their game up in the second half and started to compete with Omagh all over the pitch. Omagh were now finding it difficult to handle the Coleraine midfield, but Coleraine just couldn't get that all important goal to get back into the game.

Omagh in fact scored a third with 14 minutes remaining, a long ball from defence sent the forward clear and he thumped the ball into the net from the edge of the 18 yard box. Coleraine pushed to the final whistle without success.