Fine performance takes Mallards to the points in Cookstown

Cookstown 2 Ballinamallard 5 Early Ellis goal seals win for Mallards Limavady 0 Ballinamallard 1

Trying to gain some momentum after last week’s win the Ducks started on the front foot and pushed hard to get an early first goal.

The midfield battled well as Luca Hall, Fearghal Cassidy and Timothy Armstrong tried to feed the front line.

It wasn’t long before a nice through ball found Charlie Mccabe; some great footwork edged him towards the goal and a calm finish hit the back of the net for 1-0.

The attacking football continued from the Mallards in the first half but Maguire and Milligan found the Cookstown keeper on top form.

With an attacking mindset throughout the half, the game quickly changed as a few lapses of concentration were expertly punished by the Cookstown boys and the Mallards went in 2-1 down at half time.

With the mentality of the squad tested many times this season already, it was great to see the heads rise again and a clearance from the Cookstown defence early into the half was smashed in by Charlie Mccabe from distance to make it 2-2.

As the rain lashed down the Ducks found their comfort zone and played some great football.

Attacking from the back with Tomas Mcelholm and Daniel Hoy the Mallards tried to keep all the play in the Cookstown half. Nicky Milligan was taken down in the box and the penalty was calmly dispatched by Timothy Armstrong to give the Mallards the lead.

Luca Hall continued to shield the defence well, playing some great forward passes. Cathair Maguire found one of those balls and raced clear to increase the lead.

Cookstown pressed and rallied but it was on the counter with Cathair Maguire that Ballinamallard increased the lead. Maguire taken out in the box and Fearghal Cassidy converted the penalty as it finished 5-2.

Another win and much needed points on the board.

Ballinamallard U15s extended their unbeaten start to the season, ending a run of three draws with a well-deserved victory in Limavady.

On an immaculate Roe Mill surface, the Mallards started with a bang - a slick move ended with Bruce Lennox threading a through ball into Aaron Ellis who tucked it away with supreme confidence.

The early goal set a pattern for the first half, with Lennox and Matty Armstrong picking the passes from midfield for the intelligent front running of Ellis and Dylan Mccutcheon.

An excellent performance though from the Limavady goalkeeper kept the score at 1-0 heading into half-time.

Sensing more goals in the second period, the Mallards came out better again upon the restart - a silky performance from Conor Deazely at right-back, complimented by a dazzling turn off the bench from winger Matty Mccreesh, saw the Mallards dominate possession down the right flank.

But despite the possession and the persistent Ellis / Mccutcheon threat at the sharp end of the attack, the ball just wouldn’t settle in the net.

This inevitably led to a few flutters in the closing minutes as they put every last effort into securing those vital three points. But with keeper Ross Thompson handling the wind-assisted high balls with zero fuss, the win was never really in doubt.

An early start and a bit of a road trip to get there, but a job very well done and mission accomplished. Next up; Loughgall at home on Saturday.