Dominant U16s take the three points at Ardmore

Banbridge Rangers U16s 2

Kesh U16s 1

BANBRIDGE Rangers U16s traveled to Ardmore playing fields in Armagh to play Kesh last Saturday in a Mid Ulster League game.

Rangers were confident going into the game with a strong squad and were out to get a positive result after a few weeks of not being able to find the net.

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Rangers started brightest with Mark Ball and Willie Davison controlling the majority of the possession in centre midfield with Gibbons and McCracken on the flanks. Jordan McCracken on the left hand side was full of running and put the Kesh defence under intense pressure with his build up play and shots.

With Rangers in control the front two of McCullough and Burns were busier than usual and nearly snatched an opening chance with a quick one two with the Kesh centre half fortunate that the shot didn’t test the keeper.

Lee McCullough was inspired up front dribbling past four defenders across the byline and cutting inside but his shot from two yards was well parried by the away keeper. Rangers’ dominance continued with a string of corners but failed to find before the interval with no score at half time.

Rangers’ second half got off to a flyer with possession all in the Kesh third and when a free kick was awarded just inside the half Rangers piled the bodies into the area. McCullough’s anticipation paid off when the Kesh backline failed to deal with the free kick and was left with the keeper to beat, which is exactly what he did with the deftest first time touch.

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The goal seemed to spark Kesh into life who made a couple of changes and found more of the ball in Rangers attacking third.

Rangers introduced Dean Gordon and Jason Gibson as second half replacements for McCrum and Gibbons in the search of another goal but it was Kesh who found the net next with great shot into the top corner beating keeper Mark Winters in the Rangers goal.

Rangers held on for the next 10 minutes with Kesh having a few headers sail just over the bar. Rangers went three at the back in the final ten minutes with McElderry, Sergeant and Baird doing their utmost to quell the Kesh attacks with Banbridge Rangers always looking for the breakaway goal.

Jason Gibson was sent free down the right hand side and his cross was intercepted but had a reprieve in injury tine when in the same position only this time he crosses for three onrushing colleagues with Dean Gordon smashing home the match winner with only second remaining.

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This was a great confidence booster for Banbridge Rangers ahead of their cup clash away to Gilford this Saturday.

Man of the match was closely contested but Jordan McCracken’s probing on the left hand side gave Rangers a much needed edge against a decent Kesh side.

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