U11s on top in thrilling match

ON Saturday Banbridge Juniors faced Donegal Celtic in their final match of the Mid Ulster Youth League.

With the sun shining and the Banbridge team on a high following their two previous wins the boys were straight out of the box, pressurising the Donegal defence from the off.

The Banbridge boys dominated the initial run of play however were unable to reap the benefits of several goal mouth opportunities. This consistent pressure forced the Donegal defence to concede an early penalty which Banbridge failed to score.

This seemed to spark DC into life and shortly after they found the back of the Banbridge net 10 minutes in. The Banbridge boys rallied and resumed the relentless pressure of the Donegal defence, forcing an own goal to level the score.

Shortly before half time Donegal conceded a second penalty which Banbridge again failed to score from.

Within the first two minutes of the second half Ryan Mulholland, a half time substitution, made an excellent solo run through three Donegal players to find the back of the net from 10 yards out.

Donegal fought back and following confusion within the Banbridge defence they found the back of the net to once again level the score.

Yet again the never say die attitude of the Banbridge boys shone through with Ryan Mulholland feeding a fine through ball to Jake Dennison who scored from five yards out.

On a counter attack DC forced an error, causing the Banbridge defence to concede a crucial penalty which Donegal Celtic took full advantage of to level the score.

With the match now in injury time Banbridge threw everything at the Donegal defence and following three consecutive corners Ryan Mulholland found the back of the net in the dying minutes to seal an emphatic 4-3 victory.

This week’s Banbridge man of the match was Stevie Campbell for his relentless effort from box to box.