Mallards learn from experience

Published 11 Feb 2012 18:45

Coleraine 3 Ballinamallard United 0

Beaten but certainly not disgraced, the experience of playing a top Irish Premier League outfit in their own back yard will stand to a young Ballinamallard side.

It may not feel that way at the moment, but Mallards must shake themselves down before their return to league action in a fortnight.

Coleraine had a bit too much experience for the Mallards at the Showgrounds, particularly in the final third in attack.

Mallards were without their two strikers from all season; with Feeney already out, he was joined by Andy Crawford who was declared unfit. This left Stephen Sheridan as the lone striker, with manager Anderson deciding to play Chris Curran in an advanced role.

Sheridan showed well early on when he cut inside the defender and fire a good effort just over the bar.

But Coleraine looked dangerous in one attack with an appeal for a penalty turned down. There was to be no let off however on 23 minutes when Mallards keeper James McGrath brought down David Scullion. The keeper got a yellow card, and then was beaten from the spot by Curtis Allen.

Once ahead, Coleraine looked fairly comfortable and further goals either side of half time left them in a commanding position.

A minute before the interval they went 2-0 ahead when Clarke hit a tremendous angled driver across the keeper and into the net.

If Mallards were to have any chance, they needed to start the second half well and probably score next. But within two minutes of the restart, Coleraine had scored again.

A superb effort by Jennings rattled the crossbar, and when it came down Allen reacted to slot home his second to make it 3-0.

Encouraged by a sizeable travelling support, Mallards battled hard and really should have had a penalty when Curran was brought down.They introduced subs Gary Curran, Craig Hill and Darren Higginbotham for McConkey, McKenna and McCartney.

But throughout the second half Coleraine continued to look in control and eased into the quarter-finals.

Ballinamallard: McGrath, McConkey (Hill) Stafford, Carters, Keohane, Hutchinson, Kee, McKenna (Curran), McCartney (Higginbotham), Curran, Sheridan.

Coleraine: Cullen, Beverland, Ogilby, Scullion, Lowry, Allen, Harkin, McIlmoyle, Canning, Jennings, Clarke.

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