United youth team stretch unbeaten home run

Stewart Nixon throws the ball up the line during Ballymena United under-19s' weekend win over Glenavon.

CLifford Adams’ side haven’t lost in the NIFL Youth League Section A since the end of October and they stretched that record on Saturday with a 3-1 win over Glenavon.

The Sky Blues’ home form has been particularly impressive and Saturday’s win maintained their unbeaten record at the Showgrounds this season.

This game started as a tight contest between two very hard working and good footballing sides.

On the 31st minute Mark Lowry on the right wing who has been in excellent form of late whipped in an inch perfect cross for left winger Stewart Nixon to hammer home, giving the keeper no chance.

It was one nil to the wee sky blue at half time and after the half they came out a side determined to wrap up the 3 points, on the 63rd minute left back Josh Corry put in an inch perfect cross for striker Dave Woods to head home goal number two.

The Sky Blues were dominant at this stage and centre back Kyle Crawford picked up the ball 40 yards out and hit it first time and it thundered into the bottom left hand corner giving the goalkeeper no chance, to finish the game as a contest, before Glenavon pulled a late consolation goal back.

The sky blues will face the toughest test yet when they face Linfield at home this Saturday on the Showgrounds 3G in what will be their toughest test yet.

United U-19s: McCauley. Corry. Agnes. Crawford. Campbell. Bonnes. Hamilton. McNeill. Lowry. Nixon. Woods. Subs: McCready. Login. Dobbin. Cairns. Black.

Meanwhile, United’s opponents in their forthcoming IFA Harry Cavan Youth Cup semi-final will be finalised this week.

Ballymena had been due to meet St Oliver Plunkett in the last four of the prestigious competition but an issue arising out of Plunkett’s quarter-final tie with Crumlin Star has yet to be resolved.