06/10/2026
BALLYMONEY UNDER 13’S NL 3/10/2026
TOON TAKE POINT IN LOCAL DERBY
Saturdays National League game saw the boys come up against local foes Coleraine in the largely anticipated derby.
Although this is a game that already has a special feel to it, there was an added edge to the encounter with three of the Ballymoney starting team having played their football against the opponents, who were keen to do well for the Toon.
After three straight defeats, the manager opted for a different lay out to the team in an attempt to make it a bit more of a battle in the central areas however, Coleraine were onto this straight from the off and were exploiting the gaps on the wings to their advantage.
Although the opening encounters appeared tentative for both teams with neither particularly threatening, Coleraine hit Ballymoney from the wide areas twice in quick succession. The first coming from a well worked play on the wing before the cross was laid in perfectly for the back post header.
Coleraine were to inflict further damage soon afterwards, again from the wide areas. Again Ballymoney susceptible to the back post ball from our opponents, which was this time driven in low catching the Ballymoney backline off guard.
It was clear that the formation wasn’t doing us any favours and it was back to our preferred back 3 with Oliver sitting as a defensive holding midfielder. Slowly the boys began to drag themselves back into the game and look a lot more threatening.
With the boys working hard and battling all over the pitch, the Toon were awarded a free kick some distance out. Up stepped Oliver Miller to size up the opportunity before unleashing an unstoppable effort over the head of the Coleraine keeper.
What an effort it was and it was clear that the boys were given a lift from what was their first goal of the league campaign as we brought them in at half-time.
With the boys getting a break and the chance to settle and remind them the game was far from over, they set back onto the field and started the second half in the same vain as they ended the first.
Now looking more dangerous in our own rights, the boys continued to press and harry the visitors, with them needing to sit back and soak up the Ballymoney pressure. Sensing the game was shifting, the boys continued to push at Coleraine and were awarded with a free kick again from a distance out, but with a sense that anything was possible.
Oliver clearly now playing with a spring in his step, fancied his chances once more and after setting himself up, hit another great effort which the Coleraine keeper just found too hot to handle.
After instilling it in the boys the importance of following up, it was great to see Max do just that and be first to react to make sure the ball was over the line.
The boys all continued to work hard in every area of the park, Lucca in central midfield his usual dogged self, chasing every ball down and not giving Coleraine a minute to breathe.
With resolute defending until the end from the back 3 and Captain Michael making an inch perfect tackle with minutes to go, the boys deservedly picked up a well earned point against a Coleraine team who have themselves appeared rejuvenated in their previous games.
Manager and Coaches player of the week.
Oliver Miller. Take a bow young man!
