Sluggish start costs Town U12s

Donegal Celtic U12s 5

SATURDAY September 4 saw Banbridge Town Juniors U12s kick off their season against Donegal Celtic at Lurgan Park.

Banbridge got off to a very sluggish start and the on-song Donegal Celtic capitalised on this, pressurising the Banbridge defence into scoring an own goal five minutes in.

Before Banbridge regrouped Donegal Celtic had a quick break which lead to a speculative shot that found the back of the net.

This really seemed to unsettle the Banbridge boys and with DC making another fast break they caught the Banbridge defenders flat footed and another long range shot found the back of the net and made the score 3-0 on eight minutes.

Banbridge fought back valiantly trying to break out of their own half, however Donegal Celtic made it

4-0 with another long range shot on the 10th minute, a terrible start for the boys who were clearly not on their game.

With Banbridge now trailing by four goals Curtis-Lee McKeever made a fine individual run, beating several defenders to then smash the ball into the top corner of the net leaving the keeper with no

chance.

The three goal deficit was short lived though, and with a ball through the middle of the Banbridge defence, Donegal Celtic had the ball in the net again just before half time.

Several changes were made by Banbridge at half time which managed to stop the Donegal onslaught. Banbridge had several opportunities and Curtis-Lee had an excellent corner deflected onto the woodwork.

With 15 minutes to go Banbridge were awarded a free kick 25 yards out and up stepped Curtis-Lee McKeever to score a superb second goal, clearing the wall and finding the top corner of the net, no chance for the keeper.

This was to be the final meaningful action of the match. It was not the start the Banbridge side were hoping for. This week's joint man of the match award went to Curtis-Lee McKeever for fine goalscoring display and to Josh Dennison for his rock solid display in defence.