The team were brought down to earth with a bump by a hard working and physically strong White Eagles team this morning.

Ballycastle had two very early chances but both were saved and after this the game turned very physical. White Eagles defended really well and prevented Ballycastle from playing their usual flowing game. As frustrations grew the passing wasn’t as crisp/accurate as usual and the niggly game affected performances all over the pitch. White Eagles struck with a well taken goal in the 30th minute when No 9 got on the end of a long ball and scooped the ball into the net. Ballycastle pushed for the equaliser but Eagles held out for a fine win for them.

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Ballycastle were not really pushed in this game by an Olympic team which is seriously under strength compared to a couple of years ago. The loss of key players has had a major impact on the team and hopefully this team will improve/gain in strength as the season moves on.

Daniel Mooney scored two first half goals following pin point crosses from Stephen McAfee. Daniel Laverty scored between these goals to make it 3-0 at half time. Three more goals followed in the second half through Daniel Laverty, Kieran Collins and James McGoldrick.

This was a good team performance from the Shane Kelly marshalled defence, powerful performances from Tomas McClements and Kieran Collins in central midfield, sharp wingers with the two Daniels and a fluid frontline very ably led by James McGoldrick.

 

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A solid start to the new campaign with a 3-2 win away to Coleraine crusaders reserves.

Crusaders went one up with the referee waving away Ballycastle appeals for offside. James McGoldrick finished smartly to level the game following good interplay between Shane Kelly and Daniel Laverty.

Daniel Laverty put Ballycastle ahead with a superb half volley and Saul McCaughan hit a powerful free kick which the keeper couldn’t hold to make it 3-1. Crusaders pulled a goal back following a good cross into the box which deflected off a Ballycastle head into the net.

This was a good match for all the supporters as it had end to end play and a few controversial decisions to spice it up.

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Brave Ballycastle United Under 13 Go Down Battling Against League Winners Dungiven In Cup Final

 

Ballycastle United under 13 team lost to the league champions Dungiven in the final of the North West & Coleraine District Youth League cup on Wednesday evening.  This has been the first season for Ballycastle in the highly competitive North West & Coleraine District Youth League and the Ballycastle boys did extremely well to make it through to the cup final.

 

“It was a great experience for the boys to play under the floodlights at the show grounds in Coleraine and it will be something they will never forget.” Agreed the Ballycastle management team of John Madden, David Price, Byran Campbell and Patrick McLoughlin after the game.

 

In the opening 15 minutes Ballycastle looked like they might actually cause an upset against red hot favourites Dungiven as Ballycastle played mostly in the Dungiven half and Ballycastle strikers Ryan Hill and Connor McBride made some dangerously strong attacks through the Dungiven defence.  However Dungiven, the league champions, who have only lost two games all season, struck first with a well worked goal which Ballycastle could do little about.  This was followed quickly by a second disputed Dungiven goal which unsettled the young Ballycastle side and caused them to break for half time feeling very hard done by.

 

Although Dungiven have been beating other teams with impressive score lines all season it might have been more against Ballycastle had it not been for ‘man of the match’ Dylan Hill who together with another fantastic defensive performance from captain Aaron Laverty resisted a great deal of pressure from the Dungiven attack in the second half.  A goal from Dungiven soon after half time was the first of two more they were able to score against the valiant Ballycastle side who had battled so well.  The match thus concluded 5-0 but other notable Ballycastle performances were acknowledged by those watching in the stands from brave keeper Dylan McMullan and strong tackling from Sean Madden, Gary Maybin, Lorcan Donnelly, Tiernan McGlinn and others kept the score line down.

 

Once again there were numerous other good performances from promising players on this youthful Ballycastle side and it was encouraging to hear a comment from the Dungiven manager Martin Hazlett at the end of the match “You still have many players who will still be available to play at under 13 level next season and that was our position this time last year and now we are league and cup champions.  Ballycastle are in the same place we were last season so the team have a bright future.”

 

Very strong defensive and midfield performances supported the Ballycastle attacking players.  William Chao, Callum Campbell, Jack Price, Odhran Wright, Ryan Watt, Patrick McSorley and Oscar Egan all had solid performances.  They were all to be commended for their efforts.  As this was a high profile game it was very pleasing to see so many family and supporters who had traveled across from Ballycastle to cheer on the boys.  I am sure it meant a great deal to the lads.

Ballycastle Under 13 team lost their match against league winners Dungiven in the final of the cup on Wednesday evening.  Ballycastle concluded in the North West & Coleraine District Youth League one place above Coleraine which was a very creditable performance in their first season.  Making it through to the cup final was a new venture for Ballycastle United at this level.  Management at Ballycastle are giving the boys a well earned break after a long hard season.  Decisions as to what way the club will be managed for next year will take place at the Ballycastle United AGM (details of which may be found on the Ballycastle United website).  All those with an interest in football in Ballycastle are encouraged to attend and hopefully the more that can help out the better the experience will be for the boys.

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Ballycastle United Under 13 Put In Yet Another Solid Performance Against Ballymoney

 

Ballycastle United under 13 team went down against a top Ballymoney side on Saturday.  Ballycastle have been in contention with all the top sides in the North West & Coleraine District Youth League which started in September.

 

Ballycastle started slowly against a strong Ballymoney team who were looking for the win to finish second in the league. Ballycastle had already achieved their goal in the league which allowed them to rest a number of players for their upcoming cup final.  With a panel of over 35 contenders for first team consideration Ballycastle gave an opportunity for a number of lads, who have been very patient with management at the club, to take on Ballymoney.

 

 Ballycastle however went two goals down early on with some tidy play from a well oiled Ballymoney side. Keeper Eoin Maybin could do nothing for the first couple of goals but pulled off some great saves to keep the lads in contention later in the game. Ballycastle did had a number of chances in the first half with Oscar Egan coming close a couple of times, but it was Ballymoney who finished the half with a couple more goals.

 

 With nothing to play for but pride the Ballycastle lads went out in the second half with a never say die attitude. They played some great football at times with outstanding performances coming from Patrick McSorley (man of the match), Gary Maybin and Captain Eoin Magee. Everyone in the Ballycastle team could hold there heads high with a great second half of football.  From the back line through to attack everyone put in 100%.  Strong performances from Sean Brogan, Odhran Wright, Dylan McMullan and Sean Madden kept Ballymoney from adding to there score line. With good workrate from midfield players, Jack Price, Aaron Faloona, Ciaran McNally, Dylan O’Donnell and Callum Campbell the lads covered every inch of the pitch. Ballycastle’s front line kept pushing for the goals they needed with Ryan Watt and Tom McCollum giving everything they had.

 

 When the final whistle blew both teams were congratulated for their effort.  Many thanks are now extended, by the management at Ballycastle, to all the parents who have helped out throughout the season with driving, taking photographs, assisting with training and being so patient with regard to team selection.

 

Ballycastle Under 13 team went down against a very strong Ballymoney side this Saturday.  Their next match is the final of the Coleraine and District Youth League against Dungiven on Wednesday 8th May at 7:45pm.  They will hopefully be bolstered by the return of their rested players this week which will aid team selection based on attitude, attendance and ability.

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Ballycastle Under 13 Unlucky Against Bertie Peacock

 

Ballycastle United U13 were unlucky not to at least come away with a point in their closely contested league match away to Bertie Peacock on Saturday.

 

It was Ballycastle who started the best and played some lovely flowing football in the opening 15 minutes. Despite some good approach play and a few defense splitting passes from Dylan Hill, Aaron Laverty et al Ballycastle were unable to make their early possession count. A well organized Bertie Peacock side scored first against the run of play from a shot which came through a crowd of players and left the Ballycastle keeper, Dylan McMullan, unsighted. Ballycastle were without their midfield maestro William Chao and without his ability to link and switch the play Ballycastle struggled to find a way through the Bertie Peacock defense.

Ballycastle conceded again in what seemed like Bertie Peacock’s only other attempt on goal in the first half! However the young Ballycastle side showed good attitude and held Bertie Peacock to their two goal lead at half time. On a couple of occasions Ballycastle forward Ryan Watt had been played in well with fantastic through passes from mid fielders Lorcan Donnelly and Jack Price on the right hand side of the pitch but Ryan was denied a goal by the disciplined Bertie Peacock defense.

This match was one of the final games of the season in the Coleraine and District Youth League but the Ballycastle boys are already through to the final cup after a fine win against the same Bertie Peacock team two weeks ago. Perhaps the Ballycastle side might have come away with at least a draw as they continued to create chances in the second half. An excellent pass from Eoin Magee set Lorcan Donnelly on a race for goal from which he scored a terrific right foot shot low into the left hand corner giving the Bertie Peacock keeper no chance.

Ballycastle took off a defender and put Connor McBride, there goal scoring ace, on again. Despite wave after wave of Ballycastle attacks in the closing minutes, instigated largely by Ryan Hill, Ballycastle failed to find the net. On one such occasion Ryan Hill burst through the Bertie Peacock defense, showing great power and skill, but his last touch was just too close to the keeper and the Bertie Peacock goal keeper was able to clear his lines much do Ryan’s frustration.

Ballycastle fought hard with a great attitude and good spirit all the way to the end of the match but failed to find the elusive equalizer and the match finished 2 -1 to Bertie Peacock. All five Ballycastle substitutes were rotated into the team by Ballycastle management and every player gave their maximum effort which is what these games are all about at this level.

Ballycastle are playing with a very young team in their first year of this Coleraine and District Youth League. The other sides are vastly more experienced with many of the lads at the top of this under 13 age range.

Despite some great defending from Odhran Wright, Gary Maybin, Tiernan McGlinn and Aaron Laverty, Ballycastle were unable to stop Bertie Peacock from winning two goals to one at the end of full time. Had some of the excellent mid field work done by Jack Price, Dylan Hill, Callum Campbell, Connor McBride and Lorcan Donnelly paid off in the first half with even one goal from striker Ryan Watt the game may well have played out very differently.

Ballycastle came close through both Callum Campbell and Ryan Hill late in the game. Callum Campbell and Lorcan Donnelly were unlucky not to get a free kick or even a penalty which might have changed the game in the last few minutes. Eoin Maybin and Ciaran McNally made good contributions to the Ballycastle team but it was Bertie Peacock that seemed to get the luck of the bounce to clinch the match this week.

Ballycastle have the final of the cup on the 6th May at the showgrounds in Coleraine against league leaders Dungiven. Before that they have their last league match away to Ballymoney to complete.

 

Ballycastle under 13 lost to Bertie Peacock on Saturday. Ballycastle hope to play a few boys that have been very patiently awaiting their opportunity to make the panel this season when they face Ballymoney in the league next Saturday.

 

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Ballycastle United U13 were under pressure early on from a well disciplined Ballymoney side on Saturday. Once again some of Ballycastle’s keys players were unable to play and were badly missed. However the young Ballycastle side showed good attitude and held Ballymoney to a two goal lead at half time. On a couple of occasions Ballycastle forward Connor McBride had been played in well with fantastic through passes from mid field playmaker William Chao but Connor was thwarted by the Ballymoney defence and keeper.

This match was one of the final games of the season in the Coleraine and District Youth League but the Ballycastle boys are already through to the final cup after a fine win against Bertie Peacock last week. Perhaps the brilliant win last week had left the Ballycastle side tired since Ballymoney continued to create chances in the second half but only scored once more due, in no small part, to the excellent goalkeeping of man of the match Dylan McMullan.

Ballycastle fought hard with a great attitude and good spirit all the way to the end of the match. All three substitutes were rotated into the team by Ballycastle management and ever player tried there best which is what these games are all about at this age group.

Ballycastle are playing with a very young team in their first year of this Coleraine and District Youth League. The Ballymoney side are vastly more experienced with many of the lads coming up through the age group teams and playing toward the top of this under 13 age range.

Despite some great defending from Odhran Wright, Gary Maybin, Tiernan McGlinn and Aaron Laverty, Ballycastle were unable to stop Ballymoney from winning three goals to nil at the end of full time. Had some of the excellent mid field work done by Jack Price, Sean Madden, Callum Campbell, Ryan Watt and Ryan Hill paid off in the first half with even one goal the game may well have played out very differently.

Ballycastle came close through both Callum Campbell and Ryan Watt late in the game. Dylan Hill and Patrick McSorley made a good contributions to the Ballycastle team but it was Ballymoney that seemed to be able to keep possession and play most of their football in the Ballycastle half of the pitch to clinch the match. With the game almost over the Ballycastle lads showed great fighting spirit and attitude once again and Ballycastle were rewarded with some very complimentary comments by the Ballymoney management after the game.

It has been a great learning experience for all the young lads on the panel this season. We have over 35 boys on the books for this under 13 team and selection based on attitude, attendance and ability remain key criteria for selection in this very competitive league. It was nice to hear the manager of Ballymoney say how talented he felt some of our players were. It has also been encouraging to see the team improve over the course of the season” said Ballycastle manager John Madden.

Ballycastle have the final of the cup on the 6 May at the show grounds in Coleraine but before that they have the last couple of league games to complete. They are away to Bertie Peacock next Saturday and then their final game will also be away to Ballymoney. It is important they finish strongly since these last matches will determine how they conclude their first season in the Coleraine and District Youth League.

Ballycastle under 13 lost to Ballymoney on Saturday. They will hope to regain the winning form, that saw them beat Bertie Peacock in the cup last week, when they face Bertie’s again in the league next Saturday.

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Ballycastle Victorious In Cup Semi Final

 

Ballycastle United U13 were up against it from the start with Bertie Peacocks due to the fact that some of their keys players were unable to play.

However, with a ‘never say die’ attitude, they pulled off one of the greatest wins of the season against a stunned Bertie Peacock Coleraine team on Saturday.

This match was the semi final of the Coleraine and District Youth League Cup and now the Ballycastle boys are waiting to see who they will face in the final.

The Ballycastle lads went a goal down when a Bertie Peacock’s shot took an unfortunate bounce just in front of goal to wrong foot the Ballycastle keeper. Ballycastle immediately fought back hard and got the equalizer with a great through ball from Lorcan Donnelly to Connor McBride who powered through a very strong Bertie Peacock defense to slot the ball home past an out stretched keeper.

With ten minutes left Ballycastle got a free kick just outside Bertie Peacock’s 18 yard box. Jack Price fired the shot into the wall which bounced nicely for William Chao to score a great volley from 20 yards into the top left hand corner.

Despite some great defending from Odhran Wright, Gary Maybin, Lorcan Donnelly and Aaron Laverty, Ballycastle were unable to stop an equalizer from a well placed Coleraine shot to take the game into extra time.  With neither team able to score in the first period of extra time it left for a very nervous last 10 minutes.

Ballycastle came close through both Connor McBride and Eoin Maybin but it was Bertie Peacock that broke the deadlock and scored to seemingly clinch the match. With the game almost over the Ballycastle lads showed great fighting spirit and attitude that even Alex Ferguson might have been proud of! Ballycastle were rewarded with a last minute penalty that was calmly taken by man of the match Lorcan Donnelly.

This sent this cup match into the exciting climax of penalties.  With the penalty takers decided it was up to Lorcan Donnelly, Callum Campbell, Ryan Watt, William Chao and Connor McBride to step up and send Ballycastle to their first cup final which they duly did much to the delight of the Ballycastle management and supporters.

“I am just really pleased for the boys, after some very close matches did not go our way this season, to see a game work out and the lads so delighted” said Ballycastle coach David Price.

With other notable performances from Patrick McSorley, Dylan Hill, Eoin Magee, Eoin Maybin and especially keeper Dylan, McMullan who pulled off a great save in the penalty shoot out, Ballycastle can go into the final with great confidence.  

 

The last couple of league games for this young Ballycastle team will determine how they conclude their first season in the Coleraine and District Youth League but wherever they finish the boys will always remember their semi final win against Bertie Peacocks.

 

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Portrush FC 1-3 Ballycastle United FC

 

Ballycastle United go through to the Steele & Sons shield Final with a well deserved win against a resilient Portrush.

 

A fantastic win in semi final match today at Windy Hall. Saul McCaughan opened the scoring in the 10th minute when he shot low to the net. Sean Kelly had harassed the defence and managed to cross in low for Saul to finish. Sean and Saul were on form again to put Ballycastle 2-0 with Sean winning the ball over on the right and his cross found Saul who finished well. Portrush upped their game and Ballycastle had to withstand some pressure with Donal McCloy in fine form in nets and getting his fingertips to a wonderful shot in the 22nd minute and tipping the ball over the bar. Portrush pulled a goal back two minutes later with a strong header from a corner. It was all Portrush after this but Ballycastle defended well and were happy with 2-1 at half time. Ballycastle gained control of the game in the second half and went ahead when Saul got his hat-trick midway through the half when he beat the keeper to a through ball and headed the ball over the line. Portrush had a few chances but stout defending and a hard working midfield prevented more goals. All the boys should be proud of themselves after the display today as they did themselves and the club proud.

Ballycastle FC manager, Lee Watterson, commented:

Huge team/squad/club effort today at semi final. Every player played out of their skin to show real character heart and desire to go grab a well deserved final spot in steele and sons shield. Effort was tremendous. Abs dielighted for every player and everyone connected to bufc senior squad. Over the moon. Thank you.

 

The final will be against Kilrea FC, should be a cracking final.

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Ballycastle United under 13 team conclusively won their home match against a well established Stranocum side on Saturday.

 

Ballycastle have been so very close against all the top sides in the North West & Coleraine District Youth League since September and were back on winning form this weekend.

 

Stranocum traveled to Ballycastle and must have thought they were in for an easy match when they scored from virtually their first attack.  However after Ballycastle regained their shape and composure Stranocum found it difficult to break down the young Ballycastle team and failed to capitalize on their advantage.  Indeed both teams started to create chances for the remainder of the match.  Ballycastle had most of the possession for the rest of the first half and kept pressing forward before Ballycastle mid fielder Jack Price scored a great goal, at the best possible moment, just before the referee’s whistle blew to send the teams even into half time.

This psychological boost raised the morale of this talented young Ballycastle team and allowed them to come out strongly at the start of the second half. Ballycastle attempted to push forward again and this determination and positive approach paid off when a fine cross from Jack Price was superbly finished off by Callum Campbell to put Ballycastle ahead.   Stranocum players visibly looked shocked and dejected.  There then followed a double substitution by Ballycastle which Saw Dylan Hill and Ryan Watt replace Eoin Magee and Sean Madden who had both performed well to get Ballycastle to this stage of the match.  It was Ryan Watt who immediately made the first impact by scoring after a terrific solo run and a quality finish. Ryan rounded the keeper, having burst past a number of defenders with an incredible burst of pace, to calmly slot the ball home past the flailing Stranocum keeper and put Ballycastle 3 goals to one ahead.  It was now important for Ballycastle not to concede in the final minutes of the match so Patrick McSorley replaced Callum Campbell who had given 100% at this point of the game.

The score remained the same for the remainder of the game as Ballycastle cruised to a well earned victory.  It was justice for the Ballycastle boys who had battled so well over the past few weeks and had pushed many of the top sides in the league very close recently. Management and supporters were delighted for the Ballycastle lads after the match and rewarded them with lavish praise and their subs back to spend on sweets!

Once again Ballycastle players showed great attitude and continue to enjoy the experience of playing at this level with a very youthful team.  There are some real prospects in the team and with good coaching and development hopefully one or two of them may progress to high level football.

There could be no doubt on reflection that Ballycastle ‘man of the match’ had to be Jack Price.   Having scored with a terrific well placed shot, which shaved the under side of the bar from distance, plus provided the quality cross which set up Callum Campbell’s great finish, Jack appropriately deserved his award.  Aaron Laverty as Ballycastle captain put in yet another fantastic defensive performance together with Oduran Wright, Gary Maybin, Tiernan McGlynn and Keeper Dylan McMullan.  This Ballycastle defense did a great job to cancel out the Stranocum side that boasts numerous quality players.  Other strong performances from Lorcan Donnelly, Conor McBride and Eoin Magee continue to bode well for the development of this young Ballycastle side.  All the Ballycastle lads made their contribution to the team’s winning performance and they were all to be commended for their efforts.  Other young players continue to push hard for places in the team and as mentioned many of the Ballycastle under 13 team are still in P7 whilst some of the teams they are playing against can field sides mostly made up of year 8 and even some year 9 players!

Ballycastle under 13 team won their fixture against Stranocum on Saturday after pushing hard for a win against many top sides recently.  Their next league match is to be arranged next Saturday.  This latest win For Ballycastle will hopefully make all the difference to the players at this stage of the season and spur them on to future success in their remaining league and cup matches.

 

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