Ballinamallard United 2-1 Glenavon

Ballinamallard United U18s welcomed third placed Glenavon to Fisher Park for a midweek encounter.

The early stages saw both teams cancell each other out with very few chances of note.

It was the visitors who went in with a 1-0 lead at half-time however with a counter attacking goal.

Defender Adam Armstrong went on a marauding run from his own half, past three opposition players, before being cut down on the edge of the penalty area. Despite the desperate pleas from the boys in blue however, the referee waved play on and the Lurgan side went on the counter to net the opening goal.

Ben Ellison did hit the crossbar with a 25-yard rasping shot before the break but it remained 1-0.

In the second half the middle of the pitch became a battleground with Jamie Edwards, Charlie Clendinning and Liam Corry working tirelessly to keep their side on the front foot.

As the match ticked over into the hour mark Rhys Liggett was introduced and along with a change in shape, things started to edge in their favour. Within 5 minutes of coming on, substitute Liggett drove down the right and fired in a low cross which was parried by the goalkeeper but Odhran McGovern was on hand to follow up and tap in the equaliser.

The final 10 minutes were end to end as both teams went searching for the three points and both Cathcart and Jonny Vennard went close for the Ducks.

With time running out the home side found a goal. Corry teed up his midfield counterpart Edwards who smashed a 30-yard piledriver into the net leaving the goalkeeper motionless.

U15 player Blake Dickinson was then introduced to keep the energy levels high and to try keep Glenavon at bay but they threw everything at the Mallards in the final five minutes with a succession of corners being cleared by the home defence.

Indeed in added time they thought they had snatched a draw only for a fine reflex save by James Mills.

A pleasing win for the Mallards as they try to end the season on a high.