Derby win for Academy

COLERAINE Academy under-11’s reach the last 16 of the NIBFA Cup after a derby day win over Ballymena United last weekend…

NIBFA Cup Third Round

Coleraine 4-2 Ballymena United

The Bannsiders went marching into the last 16 of the NIBFA Cup in some style on Saturday.

With hailstones falling and deteriorating conditions it was Ballymena who got the first goal of the game after a loose ball fell to their attacker to find the bottom corner. The Coleraine kids never dropped their heads and continued playing some lovely pass and move football. Conor and Tiernan were causing Ballymena problems on the wings and were putting some great balls into the box but the strike force were unable to capitalise.

With 15 minutes gone, Thomas picked the ball up 20 yards from goal and unleashed a cracker into the top corner. Five minutes later Pierce picked up the ball and beat his marker before curling the ball into the top corner from distance. The kids now growing in confidence continued to knock the ball around and Dara got a deserved third when he beat four Ballymena players and finished well into the bottom corner.

The defence of Matthew P, Ross and Matthew M held firm in defence and confidently dealt with any attacks as the young Bannsiders held a 3-1 lead at half-time.

Into the second-half and Coleraine knew the next goal would be crucial. The kids started the very well with Harry and Ashton testing the keeper early on. The game was killed off when Coleraine got a deserved fourth goal with lovely one touch football resulting in Pierce playing a ball between two Ballymena players to find the run of Ashton who got his head up to find Thomas at the back post who duly finished the move.

Ballymena now threw everything at Coleraine and the midfield and defence stayed resolute and fought for every ball. Ballymena got a late second with a neat finish past Charlie in goals. With five minutes remaining Coleraine showed maturity to see the game out and book a spot in the last 16 with a 4-2 win.

The kids return to league games now before the draw for the last 16 which takes place in December with the cup games played in February.