Sergeant takes the salute from team-mates

Sunnyside U17s 3

UNDER 17s captain Kyle Sergeant was swamped by all of his team mates last Saturday morning after volleying in a dramatic equaliser against Sunnyside with the last kick off the game.

In a spirited performance Rangers came from behind twice in the last 10 minutes to secure a point after leading comfortably at the half time interval.

In the opening 20 minutes Banbridge Rangers controlled much of the possession and play against Sunnyside but like the previous week they found it difficult to create clear cut chances out of pressure.

The away team gradually came into the contest towards the second part of the half which in turn opened the game up with Copes and McCullough seeing more off the ball up front. It was this combination that gave Rangers the opener when Lee McCullough provided a cross to the front post with his left foot that Stephen Copes guided home with the most exquisite of touches with the outside of his boot beating the keeper at his front post.

Banbridge Rangers carried their lead into the half in good spirits with only Nathan Copes having to make way for Ryan Graham after Copes had his pulled his quad in a first half challenge.

Debutant Graham was industrious in midfield and his energetic performance mirrored that of midfield powerhouse Jason Adamson who showed great ability again when running at opposition defenders.

A combination of keeper Mark Baird’s injured wrist along with the departure of centre half Ben McElderry with a bleeding nose left Rangers somewhat out of shape at the back. Sunnyside capitalised with two long range efforts within three minutes of each other to take an unlikely lead midway through the second half.

The blow of going behind didn’t dishearten the Banbridge Rangers contingent who continued to battle for every ball trying to work space down the flanks through Jordan McCracken and Timmy Topping.

A free kick outside the area with ten minutes to go was floated in perfectly by McCullough and Mark Ball rose highest to head in an equaliser for the home team. The joy was short lived when Sunnyside broke free and scored past Baird with only two minutes left on the clock.

Davy Baird went into a three man attack straight away with three minutes added time still to be played. Rangers thought their luck had evaporated when Stephen Copes exquisite chip beat the keeper a minute later only for the ball to rebound off the bar.

Banbridge Rangers then had two corners in added time sending everyone forward with the second corner being converted at the front post by Sergeant from McCullough’s low cross into the box.

This was a good performance and a decent result in the circumstances with Sergeant taking the plaudits at the end of the match. All players performed well as a team with special mention to full backs Matthew McCrum and Nathan Sally who both looked solid from the outset whilst Stephen Copes was a constant threat alongside Lee McCullough who set up all three goals.

This Saturday’s game is an early morning trip to South Belfast to take on Deanby in the third league match of the season.