A late Town comeback secures U17 derby draw

The game began with no quarter asked or given and Banbridge produced the best early opening when Duffin’s right wing cross found Taylor unmarked at the back post but he could not manage to steer the ball into the net.

Rangers took the lead on 20 minutes after a cross from the left wing found its way over McNally’s head and dropped in at the back post. Five minutes later, the Juniors found themselves two down as a corner kick went right across the goal and was forced home from close range.

The Juniors dominated the second half and managed to grab a lifeline when Houston headed home superbly from a McCandless free-kick.

With the Juniors dominating possession and Morgan, Downey, Devlin and Houston in control at the back, it was only a matter of time before they found the equaliser.

New signing Palmer went close for the Town before McCandless was upended in the box with a late tackle and McKibbon dispatched the resulting penalty with ease to secure the draw.