Goals either side of half time condemn U15s

A GOAL in each half condemned the Under-15s to defeat against a strong Bloomfield side at Crystal Park on Saturday morning.

The local lads went into the game with confidence following their best win of the season the previous weekend against high-flying Willowbank.

But the visitors proved too powerful and just had the edge in a hard-fought contest.

Banbridge’s chances were hampered midway through the first half when injury forced off Daire McCluskey, one of their most consistent performers this season.

But there was still little to choose between the teams, with the locals’ best opening coming when Kyle Thompson almost latched onto an incisive Luke Diamond pass.

However, with clear-cut chances at a premium the first goal was always going to be crucial and it arrived just when it looked as if half-time would be reached with no score.

Banbridge were unlocked after half an hour when two Bloomfield players combined well down the right, a chipped cross being headed home from close range.

The second half continued in a similar fashion with both teams probing but unable to find the breakthrough in the final third despite some decent build-up play.

Stuart Wilson was equal to anything Bloomfield had to offer until eight minutes from time when he was powerless to prevent the clinching second goal.

In the dying minutes Luke Diamond almost reduced the deficit when he was set up by Jack McCartan but he was quickly closed down by the keeper and his lobbed effort blocked.

Overall Bloomfield had the edge but Banbridge’s commitment, typified by a solid display from right back Nathan Thompson, could not be faulted and similar effort from the players in the coming weeks will almost certainly reap benefits.

Team: Stuart Wilson, Nathan Thompson, Jack Canning, Daire McCluskey, Daniel Devlin, Stephen McKay, Niall Massey, Joel Copes, Chris Burns, Kyle Thompson, Luke Diamond, Peter Maxwell, Jack Fullerton, Nathan Weir, Jack McCartan.

Related topics: