NIFL Academy League

COLERAINE U16’s and 18’s faced Ballymena United in the latest round of matches in the NIFL Academy League…

NIFL Academy U16

Coleraine 0-3 Ballymena United

Coleraine played host to derby rivals Ballymena on Saturday at the Coleraine University.

A disappointing display resulted in a 3-0 defeat for the young Bannsiders.

Coleraine trailed 2-0 at the break and tried hard to get back in the game in the second half but unfortunately found themselves falling 3-0 behind against a strong Ballymena side.

A good learning curve for the Coleraine team and they will aim for improvements when they travel to Carrick Rangers in two weeks’ time.

SQUAD: Donnelly, Smith, Gault, McIntyre, McToal, Kirk, Devine, Armstrong, Moore, Moffat, KC, Olphert, Smyth, Kyle.

NIFL Academy U18

Ballymena United 0-4 Coleraine

It was derby day delight for Coleraine U18’s as they made the trip to Ballymena on Friday night. In a keenly contested game throughout, both teams had opportunities in the opening 10 minutes but neither side could force the break through early on.

It was on 25 minutes when good work by Mackay and McLaughlin on the left found Patton and his cross was turned home by the on rushing Stewart. Five minutes later, Coleraine doubled the lead when a Mackay corner was met by Keogh and he headed home. Coleraine were in control at this point and just before the break another corner by Mackay was turned in at close range by Patton to put the young Bannsiders firmly in the driving seat.

The second half did not provide the goal mouth action of the first as Coleraine managed the game well and limited Ballymena to few chances on goal. Ballymena kept plugging away in order to get back in the game but the Coleraine rearguard stood firm.

With 20 minutes remaining, the game was made safe when Cullen burst through, brushed off the attention of two defenders and smashed the ball past the goalkeeper.

Despite the game being safe from a Coleraine point of view, credit must go to Ballymena who kept Coleraine honest as they tried hard to get back in the game but the young Bannsiders were able to see the game out.

SQUAD: Henry, Stewart, Dealey, McBride, Campbell, Callaghan, Keogh, Mackay, McAlesse, McLaughlin, Patton, Moffat, Elliot, Kelly, Cullen, Gallagher.