U16s put out of Mid Ulster Cup by neighbours

Gilford Crusaders U16s 1

Banbridge Rangers U16s 0

BANBRIDGE Rangers U16s traveled to Gilford to play in the Mid Ulster Cup against a Gilford Crusaders side that had already completed a close double over the Banbridge side in the league.

Banbridge Rangers started brightest with Jordan McCracken and Dean Gordon having plenty of the ball on each flank with Willie Davison and Mark Ball controlling most of the play in centre midfield. Both teams were afforded plenty of time on the ball on Saturday with the Banbridge side not able to produce in the final third and Gilford having the first shot on target.

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McCracken followed last weeks performance with another attacking display down the left hand side and sent Ryan Burns and Lee McCullough through on goal twice with neither able to get a shot away on target. McCullough had a chance to shoot midway through the half but passed sideways to Burns who sliced his shot wide with Rangers becoming more in control.

With 10 minutes remaining in the half Sergeant broke up another Gilford attatck and released Gordon down the right hand side. Gordon carried the ball into the area fortuitously beating the two centre halves before his snap shot went the wrong side of the post.

The last chance of the half went to Banbridge Rangers when Mark Ball made an intelligent run behind the Gilford back four from a throw in and his cross was floated into the area with nobody able to get on the end of it with the away side ruing missed opportunities going in 0-0 at half time. Gilford came out with renewed vigour in the second half for a more even contest. Jason Gibson replaced Willie Davison and Ryan Gibbons was introduced on the right hand side for McCrum.

With less chances going the way of the Rangers side Gilford increased their momentum and a shot inside the area beat Mark Winter to give home side the lead. Banbridge Rangers found it difficult to get any shots away in close and became vunerable at the back in search of an equalizer with Mark Baird and Ben McElderry coping well alongside skipper Kyle Sergeant.

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Matthew Matchett and Aaron Blakely came on to the left hand side with Banbridge pusing two extra men forward in search of a goal to send the game to extra time but late efforts from Burns and McCracken were thwarted by the home ‘keeper who looked comfortable all day.

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