IN FORM…James Turley
Coleraine Reserves 0
Ballinamallard Reserves 1
A second half strike from midfielder James Turley was enough to give Ballinamallard Reserves the points in their opening George Wilson Cup opening game against Coleraine on Saturday.
Manager John Quinn made several changes for the Easter Saturday match including starts for Josh McIlwaine and Mark Beckett up front with Simon Johnston taking the left back spot and Craig Hill slotting in the centre of defence.
It was an opening three points in Group C for John Quinn’s side which also has Linfield and Crusaders in it.
The visitors took time to settle on a very bumpy pitch at the Showgrounds and came close after five minutes when Neil Coalter set McIlwaine on his way to shoot just over the bar.
Then a Chris Crilly free kick was tipped over the the Coleraine netminder before John Curry’s low rasping shot beat the keeper, but flew just wide of the post.
With Ballinamallard on the attack for most of the half they created several chances.
Playing out from the back Simon Johnston good ball found the hard working McIlwaine who combined well with Curry before shooting.
The Coleraine side had their chances too.
A good ball floated in behind full back Johnston and central defender Hill set up a good chance for the home side, but the ball was well gathered by Fergal Murphy in goal.
A good run by midfielder Nathan Cashel created another good opportunity for the Mallards before midfielders Turley and Curry combined to play in McIlwaine again.
Minutes later a free kick fell to the busy Turley to fire a snap shot just over the Coleraine bar.
Before the break Ballinamallard keeper Murphy made two good saves when Coleraine found gaps in the visiting backline.
The second, in particular was a superb save tipping over the bar from a stinging shot.
The second half saw Ballinamallard continue in their attacking mode with Turley prominent in everything.
And it was Turley who eventually broke the deadlock with 20 minutes to go when he combined with Curry to shoot home from 12 yards.
Manager John Quinn said, “It was good to give players a chance today. The boys who came in did well in difficult conditions.
“It was a game that we never really looked like losing and I feel we could have scored more goals.”
Ballinamallard Reserves take on Glenavon Reserves at Mournview Park tonight, Wednesday, and are at home to Ballymena Reserves on Saturday.
The other teams in the Group are Linfield Swifts and Crusaders Reserves.
The 3 group winners plus the best runner up will contest the semi finals of this league cup competition for IFA Reserve League teams.
The Mallards remain on course to win the League at the first attempt if they can achieve 10 points from their last 6 games.
