Ballinamallard United manager Harry McConkey was pleased with the workout his players got over two games on Saturday.

A squad welcomed Maiden City to Fisher Park while another travelled to Fivemiletown United and both sides came away with victories, 3-0 and 6-5 respectively.

McConkey was at Fivemiletown for the 11 goal thriller and getting minutes for some of the experienced players while also giving younger players a chance to represent the senior side for the first time.

“It was a wonderful spectacle for the crowd that attended who would have enjoyed the openness of the play and the quality of the finishing,” said McConkey.

“Chris McDowell’s side gave us a really good workout on an excellent quality surface which really pleased us and allowed us to play football and we were delighted with the referee who stood in and had a really good game.

“We weren’t happy with the defensive aspects of our game and both managers will feel that. You couldn't watch that every week

“It was great to know we were able to put a lot of minutes into our senior players before August 7.”

The Mallards struck first from the penalty spot through BJ Banda after the impressive Stephen Drumm was tripped in the box.

And Drumm got his name on the scoresheet when he cut in from the left and finished superbly.

Good link-up play between Josh McIlwaine and John Edgar set Banda up for his second just before halftime. 

Fivemiletown’s Simon Warrington hit a cracker just minutes after the restart to make it 3-1 before Banda clinched his hat-trick after being played through by Drumm and rounding the keeper to tap in.

A long ball over the top put Banda away and he made no mistake to make it 5-1 before Ricky Carroll hit Fivemiletown’s second.

A Nathan Sherry penalty minutes later made it 5-3 however Peter Campbell hit the Mallards sixth of the day shortly after.

Fivemiletown found the net twice late on to leave it 6-5 at the finish.

At Fisher Park, two goals from Nick Palmer and a Jay McCartney free-kick was enough to see off Maiden City. 

McConkey said the scoreline flattered his team somewhat in what was an open game and there was rustiness evident and at times when they dominated proceedings they did not capitalise.

With impressive performances from youngsters and new signing BJ Banda, McConkey added: “There were many positives in both games. We saw really good youngsters who were delighted to get in and get their first game for the club and that gives us hope for the future but equally when you bring in a new signing and you want him settled in and when you are scoring goals it makes it that much easier.”

Ballinamallard travel to Dergview on Saturday for another friendly in preparation for the league opener against the same opposition on August 7.