Ards Youth under 11s go for a cup double this weekend when they play Dungannon Swifts in the NIBFA Cup final, having lifted the Lisburn League Cup on Saturday.

Having been beaten in the Shield final at Christmas Ards knew what it felt like to be on the losing side and this gave them a slight edge going into the game. The huge pitch looked perfect and with a full squad to choose from the management were brimming with confidence.

Ards set out with their normal attacking formation of 3-4-3 and took the game straight to Ballymena. Ards created a couple of half chances in the opening minutes as they surged forward in numbers. The front three Kirk, Mulholland and Doherty were creating havoc amongst the Ballymena defence. Great link up play in the centre circle between Doherty and Mulholland saw Doherty in on goal but the Ballymena keeper was quickly off his line to save.

This seem to lift Ballymena and they started look dangerous on the wings but with Taylor and Ennis doubling up on the right and Cafolla and Miley the same on the left Ards were not going to be easy to break down. Ards needed something to quieten the Ballymena crowd who were starting to really get behind their team, urging them forward and causing Gray in his sweeping role a few problem's but as usual Gray was up to the challenge.

That something came on the 20th minute mark when Andrews, who was right on top of his game, showed a great first touch and then supplied a super curling pass down the left channel to Doherty who waited on the bobbling ball to settle before unleashing an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box to put Ards ahead to the relief of the rather large Ards following.

Again however this lifted Ballymena and they almost scored from the restart but their forward angled his shot just wide of Carberry's goal. Ards keeper Carberry showed his class with some great handling from a Ballymena free kick to see Ards into half-time with their slender 1-0 lead. Ards were the better team but at only 1-0 Ballymena were still well in it.

The second half got under way with Ards looking for that all important killer goal. The Ards crowd were getting behind the boys and it was helping, they were now dominating the match Ferguson and Andrews were bossing the middle allowing the playmakers like Taylor and Mulholland to play.

The secnd goal came 5 minutes into the half when Miley, who hadn't put a foot wrong all day, won a great challenge in defence and gave the ball to the midfield who in turn moved it quickly across the field thus spread-eagling the Ballymena defence. Kirk then played the ball through and Doherty with his pace and strength went clear, finishing well for 2-0.

Doherty almost got his hat-trick when he made room for himself on the edge of the box and blasted home only to see the ball crash off the crossbar with Fletcher heading wide from the rebound. The last 10 minutes were scrappy but hard work for the Ards defence as Ballymena through everything at Ards in desperation but Ards were too strong and saw the game out in a very professional manor. The final whistle came and the celebrations followed. Another fantastic trophy and memory for the players to take with them.

Hopefully this performance can be emulated this Saturday when we take on Dungannon in the final of the Northern Ireland Cup at Crystal Park, Banbridge. Kick off is 3.30.

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