Ballymena Utd…2
Ballinamallard…3

Ballinamallard Under 18s secured another valuable three points on the road on Friday night, wrapping up their Academy League season in a solid 7th place.

The scoring burst into life within the opening minute as Jack Beatty took control of a throw-in, rolled past his marker, and fired a low, powerful drive into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

The Mallards had a few half-chances to extend their lead before Ballymena grew into the game around the 15th minute. Ross Thompson made a fine save to deny them, and moments later, Rhys Liggett forced a diving save with a 25-yard strike.

On 35 minutes, the lead was doubled. Liggett delivered a cross from the right, Beatty cleverly flicked it on, and Matthew Wilson finished confidently with his weaker foot.

Just before halftime, a defensive error allowed Ballymena to pull one back from a close-range rebound, leaving the score 2-1 at the break.

Ballymena began the second half strongly, but midfielders Chrissy Spratt, Jamie Edwards, Lashawn Lombard, and Matthew McCreesh soon regained control. Corey Porter beat two opponents and threaded a dangerous pass to McCreesh, who opted to shoot with Wilson well placed.

Fifteen minutes into the half, Beatty reacted quickly to a loose ball, powered into the box, was tripped just as he prepared to shoot, and coolly converted the resulting penalty.

Five minutes later, Adam Cathcart broke into the box and was wrestled to the ground, but the referee surprisingly allowed play to continue.

Ballymena struggled to break down a well-organised Mallards defence marshalled by Liggett, Adam Armstrong, Dylan Seaney, and Harry Oliver, with Seaney winning several crucial aerial duels.

With ten minutes left, a deflected long-range effort forced another superb save from Thompson.

A lightning-quick counterattack from a corner saw Ballymena pull a late goal back, but the Mallards held firm to close out the win with some composed, mature football.

The 7th-place finish marks an excellent end to the season for Ballinamallard, highlighted by memorable victories including away
wins over Dungannon and Larne — the league champions who suffered just two defeats all season — plus a strong home win against Linfield.