Ballinamallard U14s had an early start last Saturday morning travelling to Antrim to face Cliftonville in the quarter-final of the NIBFA Cup, eventually coming through after penalties.

Cliftonville are having a great season and started well, taking an early lead with a well-worked corner.

The young Mallards grew into the game with neat one and two-touch passing play resulting in several chances.

Captain Tim Armstrong led by example, co-ordinating the backline of Nathan Coyle, Edward Murphy and Sean Donnelly.

However, Cliftonville extended the lead just before halftime with two goals following neat build-up play.

Being 3-0 down at halftime it seemed the young Mallards had a mountain to climb.

But they kept working hard knowing getting the next goal would be key to them staying in the game. 

Jay Ely was to continue his excellent season of scoring with an excellent mazy run from the wing past the Cliftonville defence. After rounding five players he finished expertly to restore hope. It was now 3-1 and game on.

The Mallards pressed for another and following excellent exchanges in midfield between Andrew England and Kimi Thompson the ball was played to Kacper Ferens on the edge of the box.

A powerful strike found the top corner and it was now 3-2.

Nathan Coyle then went on a long run to the edge of the opponent’s penalty area. A poor tackle resulted in a free-kick. Up stepped Jay Ely with an effort that nestled in the top corner and Ballinamallard were level once again.

In the sunny conditions, both sides tired and several chances were created at both ends.

Nicky Milligan managed to fashion a chance for striker Cathair Maguire. He expertly beat the offside trap and rounded the keeper to give Ballinamallard the lead 4-3 with 10 minutes on the clock.

Ben Cathcart came on to give much-needed energy to the side and Caiden Stewart kept out some excellent strikes as Cliftonville searched for their equaliser.

Their efforts paid off with the last kick of the game to leave it 4-4 and on to extra-time.

Despite chances at both ends the 20 minutes extra-time resulted in neither team finding a winner and so it was down to penalties.

Stewart was to take a key role in the outcome standing strong and resulting in two Cliftonville penalties missed.

The pressure of the final penalty fell to Nicky Milligan and with calm assurance he found the net for a 4-3 victory on penalties for Ballinamallard who will now face Glentoran or Linfield in the semi-final.