Mallards U15s lose out in cup
Ballinamallard 0 Foyle Harps 2
AFTER running last season’s under-14 cup winners so close last weekend, the young Mallards just never got going at the Bawnacre on Saturday.
The early play was quite scrappy, John Ritchie linking up well with Rhys Murphy to find Jack Stevenson in the box, his shot cleared behind. Oscar Timlin nodded the corner just over the bar.
The visitors fought hard in midfield without creating clear-cut chances. The Mallards began rushing their possession and squandering decent opportunities to test the Harps’ keeper.
Jay Largo-elis clipped the bar with a 25-yard effort before he connected with Oliver Robertson to release Ritchie, the recovering defender just getting back in time to block close to goal.
The home team began the second half on the front foot, Daniel Gawley, Joshua Humes and Rafa Mccoy getting more into the game. The sucker punch then arrived 10 minutes later. A bouncing ball in the box was handled and the Harps attacker stroked home the penalty.
The goal galvanised the Harps and they fought extra hard all over the pitch. The Mallards had a great chance for the equaliser when a rebound was somehow cleared off the line before a number of corners were headed over.
A counter attack in injury time saw the visitors double their lead with a clever lob from an acute angle.
It was a flat performance from the young Mallards who will now move into the National League Plate. It’s Portadown away next weekend in the league.
The player of the match was Daniel Gawley, who fought hard to try to get his team back into the game with some driving runs.