Good display from U15s

Magherfelt Sky Blues 3

BANBRIDGE U15s played hosts to Magherfelt Sky Blues at Scarva Park on Saturday.

The Juniors settled well and looked very solid playing a passing game, however, with 10 minutes into the match the home side failed twice to clear the ball in the box and a tame shot hit a Junior defender and trickled over the line.

The Juniors playing good football continued to press with wide players Conor Byrne and Chris Orr stretching the Sky Blue’s defence. They created a good chance when James Ward broke from midfield and dribbled through their defence only to see his shot well saved by the goal-keeper.

Play was flowing from end to end and in the 25th minute the Sky Blues broke quickly and added a second goal against the run of play.

The 2nd half started brightly for the Juniors and a strong run from mid-field by Ross Allen almost opened their account when his shot went inched wide.

The Juniors pressure finally got the reward when with 12 minutes gone they opened their account. Substitute Matthew Miller,who had replaced the hard working Thomas Kerr, receiving a great ball over the top from James Ward outpaced the defenders and passed square to Dominic Donnelly who made no mistake.

The Juniors increased the pace again, with full-backs Stephen Stewart and the improving Eoin Monaghan pushing on, and it came as no surprise when they equalised with 10 minutes of time left. Dominic Donnelly scored his second goal when racing unto a through ball to smash past the keeper.

The Juniors were controlling the game but Magherfelt took a surprise lead when again the home defence failed to clear and their striker drilled the ball home.

With time running out the Juniors attacked again and got what they deserved when striker Matthew Miller received a pass from midfield and gave the keeper no chance with a great low drive low into the corner.

What a performance from the Juniors with this draw against a team pushing for the league. It would be difficult to pick a ‘man of the match’ from this entertaining game; therefore, a great team performance took the honours.