Ballinamallard United continued their preparations for the Irish Cup derby clash with Dergview with a friendly victory over Annagh United at Ferney Park on Saturday.

The game was played under strict Covid-19 protocols, with the teams unable to avail of the changing facilities, no supporters allowed inside the ground, and a limit on the number of players and staff attending.

It was the away side who took the lead in the game as they converted from the penalty spot to leave it 1-0 at half time.

However, the Ducks upped their game after the break and Jason McCartney equalised from the spot before Darragh McBrien nudged the home outfit ahead with a fine strike.

Reece Byrne headed home to make it 3-1 before Ryan Campbell rounded things off with a fourth for the Mallards.

Ballinamallard Manager Harry McConkey was delighted with their first work-out ahead of the cup tie.

“It was beneficial purely from the point of view that Annagh gave us a good workout and I think both teams are just appreciative of getting back up and running again.

“The build-up to the game was different, with everything having to be done outside, but I think the lads were just happy to have a ball at their feet in a meaningful way,” he said.

McConkey was also delighted with the condition that the players have returned in, which is something he felt stood out on Saturday.

“We are not getting carried away by any of it – it was a typical pre-season friendly with both sides making plenty of changes and that can disrupt the flow of the opposition, but we felt the biggest factor coming out of the game was that we felt a lot of our players looked in decent condition.

‘Pleasing’

“Also, the fact that they were able to build their relationships pretty quickly again to allow some very good combinations on the pitch was pleasing. As I say, it was a good work-out.”

The Ducks starting side included the experienced John Connolly in goals, behind a back four of Ryan Morris, Matty Buchanan, Dean Curry and Ross Taheny.

The midfield three were Captain Richard Clarke, John Edgar and Alex Holder, while up front they had Darragh McBrien and Jason McCartney on either side of Josh McIlwaine.

There wasn’t much in the way of goal-mouth action in the opening period but it was the away side who were to break the deadlock from the penalty spot when Dean Curry was adjudged to have fouled.

The home side enjoyed plenty of the ball in the first half, but they never really threatened the Annagh goalkeeper, as it remained 1-0 at the interval.

Both sides rang the changes in the second half with McConkey using seven substitutes at the break.

Aaron Arkinson, Ryan Morrow, Duwayne McManus, Niall Grace, Reece Byrne, Ryan Campbell and Sam Robb all came into the game, and the home side looked a more vibrant outfit from the restart.

The lively Reece Byrne had his heels clipped in the box and McCartney converted the subsequent spot kick before McBrien nudged the home side ahead.

He received the ball on the left and cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable effort to the corner.

Annagh did carry a threat on the counter-attack, and it required a good stop by Connolly to deny them an equaliser before the Mallards grabbed their third.

McManus’ free kick clipped the bar but from the rebound Byrne sent a diving header to the back of the net.

Campbell wrapped up the scoring as he finished from close range after good work by Robb to leave it 4-1 at the final whistle.

The Mallards are back in action this Saturday when they take on Portstewart, and McConkey would love to have had the opportunity to play a few more friendly games before taking on Dergview.

“We look forward now to working hard this week and then going to Portstewart on Saturday for a game.

‘Informed decision’

“You would love to have more games because you are trying to give boys a chance to lay their claim for May 1, and you want them to have as much game time as they can so that you can make a more informed decision, but you are having to squeeze everything so tightly.

“We will be looking at players in our 11 v 11 in training, but it is not the same as playing another opponent. You don’t get the same tempo,” he added.