Ely hat-trick seals win for young Mallards in Belfast
U14 Subway NIBFA National League
Ridgeway Rovers 2 Ballinamallard Utd 3 BALLINAMALLARD United U14s defeated Ridgeway Rovers 3-2 in the National League on Saturday as Jay Ely bagged a hat-trick.
After the away side’s long journey it took them a while to make their mark in the game with Ridgeway enjoying more of the ball and threatening in the final third before eventually taking the lead with a low shot inside the box that sailed past goalkeeper Caiden Stewart.
Ballinamallard responded well to the opener as Kacper Ferens and Cathair Maguire both went close to an equaliser after some good attacking play but it was Ely who got the Mallards on terms when he brought down a ball into the penalty area before being taken down by a Rovers defender and a spot kick was awarded.
Ely stepped up and despatched the penalty to make it 1-1.
United grew in confidence with the leveller and began to take control in the middle of the park with most of their play going through midfield trio Kimi Thompson, Nicky Milligan and Tim
Armstrong.
Ely found his second as his free kick flew past the Ridgeway goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
United would eventually seal the win when Ely completed his hat-trick as he coolly finished one-on-one with the Rovers goalkeeper after being played in. Ridgeway would cause concern in the final few moments when they were awarded a penalty which was well finished to make it a nervy last few moments in Belfast but Ballinamallard held on to secure another victory in the National League.