Northern Ireland’s Junior International team, managed by former Ballymena United midfielder Harry McConkey, is made up of amateur players based in mainly the IFA Championship who are beginning their preparations for the UEFA Regions Cup later in the season.

United fielded a strong team on the club’s successful annual Open Day, with Denver Gage starting the match alongside Ghanaian trialist Emmanuel Okaikwai who is still looking to convince manager Roy Walker he is worthy of a permanent contract.

The first half was typical pre-season fare, with the home side edging proceedings against a resilient Northern Ireland side, but lacking much in the way of creative play or clear-cut chances.

Deadlock was seemingly broken when Albert Watson thought he had opened the scoring for the Braidmen but seen his effort chalked off on the stroke of half time.

After the break the impressive Ballyclare Comrades forward Mark McClelland gave the visiting amateur Internationals a shock lead when he fired past Ryan Brown on 65 minutes. McClelland also struck the crossbar during the game.

The visitors doubled their lead on 76 minutes though defender Stuart Moore. A goal created by United's Michael Smith (II) who was guesting for McConkey's side alongside Denver Gage who played a half for each side.

With six minutes remaining, new signing from Carniny Rangers showed his hometown supporters what they can expect from him as he pulled a goal back in spectacular style. Turning the defender on the edge of the box before firing an unstoppable effort past former United goalkeeper Keith Wilson.

With the new Carling IFA Premiership season drawing ever closer, United’s first team have only two more pre-season friendlies remaining – firstly a trip to North Belfast to face Newington YC on Tuesday evening and Scottish Premier League side St. Mirren are the visitors on Saturday.

Teams:

BALLYMENA UNITED	NORTHERN IRELAND JUNIORS
1: BROWN, Ryan	1: NELSON, Kyle
2: SMITH, Michael	2: McCLEERY, Kyle
3: COLLIGAN, Lee	3: ARMSTRONG, William
4: HAVERON, Gary (c)	4: McQUITTY, Michael
5: WATSON, Albert	5: MOORE, Stuart
6: GAGE, Denver	6: WALSH, Aaron
7: TAGGART, Gavin	7: McGRORY, Andy
8: OKAIKWAI, Emmanuel	8: FORSYTHE, Andy
9: SMITH, Andy	9: McCLELLAND, Mark
10: GIBSON, Richard	10: PARKHILL, Trevor
11: MURRAY, Eamonn	11: UPTON, Glen
Substitutes	-
12: CARSON, Rory	12: WILSON, Keith
Replaced Gavin Taggart (65 mins)
13: STEWART, Aaron	16: GAGE, Denver
Replaced Denver Gage (46 mins)
14: McDOWELL, Maurice	17: YOUNG, George
Replaced Eamonn Murray (65 mins)
15: BERRY, Ryan	18: SMITH, Michael (II)
Replaced Emmanuel Okaikwai (46 mins)
20: MAYBIN, Marc
Not Used
Yellow Cards:	-
None	None
Red Cards:	-
None	None