Ballinamallard’s youth teams made a good start to their Foyle Cup campaigns this week with three of the four teams top or joint top of their groups after two days of matches.

Under 10s Ballinamallard under 10s have made the perfect start to their first ever Foyle Cup competition, winning all three of their opening games. Playing at St Columb’s Park, they started their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Kilmac Academy thanks to goals from Corey Smith and Patrick Regan. They followed up their opening win with a 4-1 success over St Oliver Plunkett’s. Corey Smith was again the Mallard danger man and he put them into an early lead in the first half with a terrific finish after a great ball in from the right by Craig Hughes. Plunkett however continued to press and Nathan Hunter in the Mallard goals and his defence were working hard to protect the lead. Tyler Neary in particular had an outstanding game and the work rate of the whole team was terrific but Plunkett netted just before half time to level the scores. Despite having only finished their first game a short time earlier Ballinamallard came out in the second half with renewed energy and Smith soon put his side 2-1 ahead, finishing calmly after terrific play on the right by Patrick Regan, before going on to complete his hat-trick. Shea Mulligan also added a late goal to complete a 4-1 win. Cory Smith was again on target in their following match against Trojans to give the Mallards a half time lead. Trojans, who had won an encounter between the two last month, equalised early in the second half, but Smith was once again on hand to net the winner after a Paddy Dillon shot was parried by the keeper.

The win leaves the Under 10s joint top of the table with maximum points, with the match against Clonmany likely to decide the group winners.

Under 11s Ballinamallard Under 11s have an unbeaten record after three games, with first day victories over Partick Thistle and Clooney Soccer School followed up by a scoreless draw against an Inishowen Youth League select team.

Having gone through their group unbeaten last year, Ballinamallard were looking to repeat the feat in 2015 and they made a good start against Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle. Chances were at a premium against the Scottish visitors, but a piece of great control and pace from Daniel Barker won the Mallards a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, and last season’s top scorer Oisin Gormley fired the free kick low into the bottom corner of the net. Thistle’s sole effort on goal was parried by Reece Holmes with the keeper picking himself up to touch the rebound over the crossbar.

Clooney Soccer School provided a much sterner test for the Mallards than 12 months previously, but for the second time in two years the Fermanagh side claimed all three points thanks to goals from Danny Wilson and Stephen Beatty. As in the first game the opener came from a free kick earned by Barker with Wilson drilling the shot past the keeper. Stephen Beatty came in from the right wing and converted a Tim Magee through ball to increase the lead, and moments later the Mallards twice came close to going further ahead. After a mazy run down the right Daniel Barker saw his shot saved, and then Oisin Gormley smashed a free kick off the crossbar.

Inishowen Youth league went into the group as one of the favourites for victory and they pushed the Mallards all the way in a close fought encounter. Ballinamallard almost made a dream start when Alex Brownlee’s header from a corner was cleared from under the crossbar. Gormley had a long range effort fly just wide of the post but both sides were struggling to create clear cut chances and a point apiece was always a likely outcome. Ballinamallard and Tristar top the group with seven points, with Inishowen poised to take advantage of any slip ups from the top two as the tournament goes into the latter part of the week.

Under 9s The Under 9s are part of a three way tie at the top of their section after three wins from their opening four games. The youngsters started brightly with a 2-1 victory over Donegal side Kilmac Academy. A good Jack Beatty strike opened the scoring for the Mallards and this was followed shortly after by a Barry Goodwin goal after a neat exchange between himself and Ethan Abercrombie. As the half came to an end Kilmac got back into the game and they carried that momentum into the second half with some resolute defending required by the rear guard of Liam Corry, Dylan Seaney and James Hanna to protect the slender 2-1 lead.

In their second game and buoyed by their first game victory, the young Mallards really found their feet going on to secure a 6-0 victory against Oxford United Colts. Jack Beatty again opened the scoring and this was added to by a fine Barry Goodwin hat-trick and goals from Joshua Hicks and Ethan Abercrombie as the Mallards ran out convincing winners. Ethan Abercrombie put in a commanding midfield performance ably assisted by Charlie Clendinning while Liam Corry controlled the back line with his usual calm and Calvin Browne dealt easily in the Mallard goal on the occasions that Oxford did threaten.

Ballinamallard were quickly out of the blocks against Carndonagh, and opened the scoring when Eoghan McGirr slotted home after a pass from Barry Goodwin. Ethan Abercrombie and Charlie Clendinning were dominating in the centre of midfield and they soon doubled their lead when Abercrombie added a second. Goodwin then added a third before half time as they moved further ahead. Carndonagh posed more of a threat in the second half with goal keeper Calvin Brown twice denying the opposition. Jack Beatty had a shot saved and Taylor Hale fired just wide of the post as the Mallards finished strongly but they could add to their goal tally.

The Under 9s winning run finally came to an end against Eglington Eagles. Despite dominating the early possession they could not find the net, and Eglinton took full advantage to score the only goal of the game and take all three points.

Under 12s After suffering a heavy defeat against a very strong South Donegal Schoolboys side, the 2003 team were determined to bounce back in style against fellow national league side Foyle Harps. In the first half the mallards had the majority of the possession and deservedly went ahead through a Ruben Jentsch goal. Early in the second half Harps hit back to equalise from the penalty spot after a disputed decision to award a spot kick, and the local side completed their comeback with an own goal following a goal mouth scramble. The Mallards pressed forward to the end but could not find the equaliser, and will now face Roe Valley to determine whether they enter the Rosebowl or the Shield competition.