Town U14s finish up on the wrong end of a terrific encounter

THIS was a terrific encounter between two evenly matched sides but one that Banbridge could so easily have won.

Hillsborough almost took the lead after five minutes but keeper Kalem Farrell came out bravely to block the shot.

Then after 10 minutes Lee Close made a great tackle to stop another Hillsborough attack.

Banbridge then had a chance from a Stephen McCavitt free kick but werent able to apply the final touch.

Hillsborough went ahead in the 25th minute with a goal against the run of play from a low shot at the edge of the 18 yard box.

The locals started the second half strongly with David Gray forcing a good save from the keeper after five minutes and then a lovely ball from Gareth Orr found Stephen McCavitt just offside.

Philip O'Keefe went close after a good run but again the keeper saved well. David Gray also went close when his close range shot went just over the bar.

In a rare second half attack Hillsborough almost increased their lead but Andrew Bennington cleared off the line.

With time running out Philip O'Keefe had another shot saved yet again by the keeper who had a great game.

Although they lost this game Banbridge can take heart from a really good performance and surely it can’t be long before they are winning matches.

TEAM: Kalem Farrell, Niall McCreanor, Dylan Martin, Lee Close, Andrew Bennington, Stephen McCavitt, Declan Loy, Gareth Orr, Andrew Martin, David Gray, Michael Jordan, Philip O'Keefe, Robert Colfer.