Town U16s take on Glens in New Year’s Day decider

BANBRIDGE Town Juniors Under 16’s are one game away from landing their first piece of silverware of the season when they face Belfast giants Glentoran on New Year’s Day in the Lisburn Junior Invitational League Shield.

The locals have played some outstanding football at times this season - scoring an impressive 11 goals in three game to get to final.

Confidence is high in the camp but the management team know they face a stern test against the Glens.

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Manager Paul Bennington said: “The lads have done fantastic to get to this stage. They have worked very hard to get to the final but we all know that it will be tough against Glentoran.

“We will be giving our all to try and bring back the Shield to Banbridge.”

The Juniors, who are sponsored by Power NI, take on Glentoran U16’s on New Year’s Day at Ballymacoss with an 11.15am kick-off.

PEN PICS:

1.William Maxwell, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Goalkeeper

Plays like: Joe Hart

Rejoined the Town, after 2 seasons with Moneyslane (where he played some games for the senior team). Great shot-shopper, comfortable kicker, commands back four and controls 18 yard box .

2. Andrew Martin, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Right Midfield

Plays like: Antonio Valencia

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Speedy, skilful winger. Has scored 3 goals this season, including a great lob in the quarter-final against Hillsborough.

3. Andrew Bennington, 15 (4th year)

Position: Centre Back

Plays like: Sergio Ramos

Solid, versatile defender able to play anywhere across the back four. Picked up an injury at the start of the season, which required surgery, and will unfortunately miss the final.

4. Dylan Martin, 15 (4th Year)

Position: Centre Back

Plays like: Nemanja Vidic

Courageous, no-nonsense defender, who gives 110% in every game. Challenges for every ball. The rock in the heart of the defence.

5. Reece Milligan, 15 (4th Year)

Position: Right Back

Plays like: Maicon

Solid, hard working defender. Able to fill into centre back when required. Great in the air, regularly beating much taller opponents to the ball.

6. Josh Buchanan, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Centre Midfield

Plays like: Mesut Ozil

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Skilful, hardworking midfielder. Regularly finds the perfect pass, and has created numerous assists this year, as well as getting on the scoresheet on a couple of occasions.

7. Niall McCreanor, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Right Back

Plays like: Ashley Cole

Solid, reliable, much improved this season. Excellent tackler, and capable of playing intelligent balls down the right hand side.

8. Stephen McCavitt, 15 (4th Year)

Position: Right Midfield

Plays like: Nani

Speedy, skilful attacking midfielder. Able to play on the wing or upfront, and has the ability to beat a defender with ease. Great striker of the ball.

9. Gareth Orr, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Centre Back

Plays like: Gerard Piqué

Determined, solid, courageous defender. Always poses a threat at free kicks, notably scoring a thumping 30 yard free kick against Sunnyside in the league.

10. Josh Cargin, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Striker

Plays like: Radamel Falcao

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Prolific goalscorer, 19 goals so far this season, notably a superb hat-trick against Hillsborough in the quarter-final! Last year’s top goalscorer and if he continues his form, will take that honour again!

11. David Gray, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Left Back (C)

Plays like: Gareth Bale

Calm, assured, extremely skilful defender. Makes telling runs down the left hand side, creating assists as well as scoring 4 goals himself. Very dangerous at both free-kicks and corners, as he scored straight from a corner against Hillsborugh in the quarter final of the cup.

12. Lee Close, 15 (4th Year)

Position: Left Midfield

Plays like: Juan Mata

Able to send brilliant crosses from the left. Poses threat at corners, notably a great header in the semi-final against Carrick Rangers to seal the win. Been on the scoresheet on 3 occasions.

14. Michael Jordan, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Right Midfield

Plays like: Arjen Robben

Hardworking, intelligent midfielder. Covers lots of ground, supporting both defence and attack. Excellent crosser of the ball providing many assists as well as grabbing 6 goals this season.

15. Declan Loy, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Centre Midfield

Plays like: Steven Gerrard

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Hard working, skilful, courageous midfielder, always giving 100%. Having the best season of his career. Has assisted in numerous goals with defence-splitting balls from midfield, as well as finding the net 6 times this season.

16. Ryan Wiliamson, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Left Midfield

Plays like: David Silva

Speedy, skilful winger able to beat defenders with ease. Provided lots of assists with some great crosses. 10 goals this season including a fantastic hat-trick against Newry in the league.

17. Finn Campbell, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Striker

Plays like: Edinson Cavani

Strong centre forward able to hold the ball up, find the killer pass as well as score goals, 9 goals this season, including 2 in the semi-final against Carrick, his second a tremendous half-volley on the turn, lobbing the opposition keeper.

18. Jordan Hayes, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Right Midfield

Plays like: Glen Johnson

Recently signed from Ballynahinch. Has only played a couple of matches, but early signs are good and show that he’ll be an important addition to the team.

19. Tom Brown, 15 (5th Year)

Position: Striker

Plays like: Lukas Podolski

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Pacy forward, able to drop back into midfield when required. Recently signed from Lurgan Town but unfortunately will miss the final as he is cup-tied, having played in the competition for his former club Lurgan, earlier in the season.

Management Team

Paul Bennington: Manager

Has managed the team since 2008, as Under 12’s, and is really proud of the team’s success so far this season.

Gareth Martin: Coach

Originally founded the team as Under 9’s. Has worked tirelessly this season, encouraging the team to play constructive, intelligent football which has obviously paid off!

Karl Hall: Coach

Joined the team this season, and has worked extremely well alongside Gareth Martin to raise the level of the team’s performance this year. A great asset to the coaching team.

ROUTE TO THE FINAL:

1st Round - Banbridge 2 - 1 Glen Star

Josh Cargin (2)

Quarter Final - banbridge 5 - 0 Hillsborough Boys

Josh Cargin (3), David Gray, Andrew Martin

Semi Final - Banbridge 4 - 1 Carrick Rangers

Finn Campbell (2), Josh Cargin, Lee Close

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