Houston stars but U12s go down

Juniors U12s 2

Cookstown

Youth U12s 3   SATURDAY January 29 saw Banbridge Town U12s play host to Cookstown Youth at Cheney Park.

The town went out with only 12 available players and missing their in-form goalkeeper. This saw Morgan Gallagher playing as goalkeeper for the first time.

From the first whistle Cookstown were on their game, pushing Banbridge deep into their own half, forcing several very dangerous corners which Banbridge did very well to clear.

Eventually Banbridge got into their rhythm and forced a corner of their own. Curtis-Lee McKeever swung the ball into the danger zone and it was the big man from the back, Adam ‘Dixie’ Dickson, who scored a fine volley to open his account for the club after 11 minutes.

The game was end to end and on the 18th minute the dangerous corners paid off for Cookstown. The ball was delivered in high and eventually put into the net to equalise.

The second half began at the same frantic pace as the first with Banbridge pressurising the Cookstown defence into conceding a corner five minutes in.

The Banbridge boys capitalised on this with another impressive ball in from Curtis Lee McKeever finding the unmarked David Houston who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net to make in 2-1.

For the next 15 minutes both teams battled in a very exciting display of football. Banbridge conceded a corner which was again very problematic for the defence, and led to Cookstown getting their equaliser following a goalmouth scramble.

With everything to play for, both teams went all out seeking the winning goal. With only two minutes remaining Cookstown made a break down the left wing and fed a fine cross which was well finished leaving the stand in goalkeeper with no chance.

This week’s Banbridge man of the match was David Houston his relentless effort in midfield. A special word of thanks to Morgan Gallagher for deputising in goal.