Fivemiletown United 0 Ballinamallard United 4
BALLINAMALLARD continued their 2025/26 season preparations with an impressive 4-0 victory over Fivemiletown United at the Valley Stadium last Saturday. Guilherme Priosti marked his debut for the Mallards with a first half brace; Aidan Brennan netted in the second half, his second in as many games; before Josh McIlwaine added a fourth as the Mallards continued their perfect start to pre-season.
Lorcan Donnelly also made his first appearance for Ballinamallard in what another positive afternoon for the Ducks boss Mark Stafford.
“We went with two different 11s both halves and won each half 2-0. It was good to get the new signings on the pitch, getting minutes in legs, becoming acquainted to group and hopefully coming out of it unscathed.
“All the players applied themselves well in a very pleasing performance.”
Priosti was involved immediately, crossing for Daniel Barker whose effort from 12 yards was blocked. Roles were reversed on six minutes, as Ballinamallard took the lead. Barker’s cross from the right was headed home by Priosti at the far post.
Ballinamallard continued to press and netted a second on 15 minutes. Arkinson and Priosti combined on the left before the Mallards captain pulled the ball back from the byline, with the Brazilian rifling a volley into the net from the edge via the crossbar.
An effort from distance by Marc Walsh, a summer arrival from Dergview, was blocked by Fivemiletown’s Jamie Stewart. Jamie Adams then broke through for the hosts, but his low cross was blocked by Ryan Morris.
David Jonathan, who arrived alongside Priosti from Sligo Rovers, headed over from a Priosti corner before the break. Brennan added a third for the Mallards early in the second half. Gary Armstrong threaded a pass through to the forward, who applied a composed finish just three minutes in.
Jamie Ray pulled off a strong save from Adams, before Ballinamallard added a fourth with 15 minutes remaining. Jamie Dunne’s low ball from the left saw McIlwaine finish first time underneath the ‘keeper.
Despite the defeat, Fivemiletown United manager Scott Robinson took the positives from the occasion. “I was proud of how our team handled the occasion, especially the younger players who stepped up and weren’t phased one bit. That kind of experience will serve them well going forward, as we won’t face that level of opposition every week.”