Largo Elis grabs a hat-trick as Mallards progress in U14 Cup

Ardoyne 2 Ballinamallard 3 Ekn Rangers1 Larne 2

DESPITE numerous injuries the young Mallards enjoyed a bright start to the game with Conor Rooney hitting the post before a fantastic solo effort from Jay Largo-elis opened the scoring.

Jay picked the ball up in midfield and jinked past four opponents before lobbing the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

Ballinamallard controlled much of the possession with Oliver Robertson pulling the strings in midfield along with Jack Fulton and Rafa Mccoy lively out wide.

A quick Ardoyne attack down their right resulted in a disputed penalty for handball and this was scored to equal the scores.

The Ducks created chances to restore their lead, however, with Oscar Timlin unluckily heading over and Matthew Garrity going close.

The home side were being reduced to long range efforts with Daniel Gawley, Sean Donnelly and Oscar Timlin dominant in defence.

However a rushed clearance led to an Ardoyne attacker seizing the ball on the edge of the box and his shot found its way past Tomas Mcgirr despite his best efforts to keep the ball out to leave the Mallards trailing at the interval.

Ballinamallard started the second half brightly and dominated possession. Makati Marynoshenko and Adam Magee were controlling midfield and a quick attack involving them and Fulton resulted in a free kick wide on the right.

Jay Largo-elis struck the ball perfectly to arrow it high past the goalkeeper to equalise.

The Belfast side were finding it very difficult to deal with the Mallards attack and after a few reckless tackles were reduced to ten players.

Charlie Mccabe was lively in attack and after a silky turn on the edge of the box, he found Garrity who fired inches wide.

A long-range strike from Daniel Gawley was also ruled out for offside as Ballinamallard peppered the Ardoyne goal.

The eventual winner came from the player of the match Largo-elis.

He picked the ball up on the right wing and dribbled around three defenders before being fouled as he entered the box.

Jay dusted himself down and slotted home the penalty.

THERE was late agony for Enniskillen Rangers as a Larne goal with the last kick of the game saw the Ball Range based club make their exit from this season’s Harry Cavan Youth Cup.

A strong Larne side dictated possession for long spells but they were met by a resilient ‘Gers with defenders Dara Burns, Rory Browne, James Balfour and Morgan Whittaker outstanding along with Eoin Mcgarry and Alex Howe in front of them.

Larne though did take the lead and they squandered a few other chances as Rangers came under pressure from the away side.

However, with 15 minutes to go, the home side levelled as Joel Byrne capitalised on hesitancy by the visiting goalkeeper to nip in and chip the ball over him to the net for 1-1.

Indeed, Byrne had a further chance late on to win it for the ‘Gers but he was blocked down and soon after Larne snatched the victory from a header.