U12s suffer defeat to older Lurgan Town team

It was a beautiful, sunny day but with a strong breeze blowing right across the pitch.

The game started slowly with both teams trying to get the upper hand and the Lurgan Town keeper was definitely busier than Matthew Hillis in the Banbridge Rangers nets.

Rangers took control of he midfield battle with Kris Thompson and Bailey Russell bossing the game and spraying passes to willing wide men Ben Hillis and Josh Crawford. Luke Brown and Josh Lyttle were putting in the hard yards up front and both were unlucky not to add to their impressive season’s goal tallies with a couple of efforts each.

Just before half time following great work by Harry Patterson and Luke Brown, the ball found its way to Ben Hillis whose goal bound effort was kept out by a combination of keeper and defenders.

Lurgan Town B were definitely the happier team to go to half time 0-0.

The second half started the same way with BRFC dominating the game but unable to find the breakthrough.

Then, following a break away, Lurgan Town B managed to get the lead with a snap shot high into the net that gave Matthew Hills no chance.

The U12s stuck to their guns and following great play at the back between Josh Martin and Charlie Hillis, the ball was slipped through to Bailey Russell who calmly stroked in the equaliser.

Within a couple of minutes yet more superb football from BRFC led to another chance for Bailey but this time his shot just went the wrong side of the post with the keeper beaten.

Both teams were pressing for the winner and following a corner which Rangers failed to clear, a shot from the edge of the box found its way into the net to give Lurgan Town B the victory.

A great game, played in great spirit by two well matched teams. Next up for the U12s is the semi-final of the Mid Ulster Youth League Cup against Dungannon Colts, at Kernan Park, Craigavon this Saturday with a 10:30am kick off.