Scintillating display of football by Town U11s

Portadown Youth 1

BANBRIDGE Town Juniors U11’s (Lisburn League) produced a scintillating display of football scoring three goals of the highest calibre and in doing so maintained their title aspirations.

With a cup final appearance next week the Juniors could have been forgiven not to treat this game with importance but the team spirit and attention was solely focused on this game as they were out to exact revenge for a comprehensive beating by the same opponents a few weeks ago.

In total contrast to that day the Juniors arrived with added confidence and began the game as always in attack. But Portadown are a good side and the in form team at present but the Juniors early pressure was to no avail.

As luck would have it Portadown stole in front with a very fortuitous goal. A high ball was headed on by a Portadown forward and was gathered quite easily by Cromie but somehow it squirmed out of his hands and into the net.

An early setback for the Juniors but they rolled their sleeves up and from then on the football witnessed by the spectators was something special.

The Juniors drew level with an exquisite goal. Morgan gathered the ball deep and played a wonderful pass to the overlapping Duffin. The young striker whipped past his marker and unleashed a pinpoint cross to Angus at the near post who volleyed the ball across the keeper into the far corner. A wonderful strike after sublime play.

The Juniors tails were now up and they took the lead when Hamilton after good work by McCandless curled the ball with deadly accuracy into the top corner. Again another wonderful strike.

The Juniors were now rampant and unbelievably they added a third in as many minutes when Downey picked up a loose ball just inside the Portadown half. The winger carried the ball forward passing several defenders before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner. Yet another quality goal and Portadown were now in danger of collapsing!

The Juniors pressed for more goals and were unlucky with a number of half chances. When Portadown threatened the colossal defence of Dillon McCandless Morgan and McAtamney were outstanding. The half came to a close and the Juniors walked off to thunderous applause.

Portadown had no option but to attack in the second half and again the midfield of Hamilton Fearon Downey and McKinstry were instrumental in thwarting Portadown’s push for a goal with McKinstry in particular stifling Portadowns midfield playmaker.

Angus was unlucky not to add a fourth as he narrowly failed to reach a loose ball and Hamilton fired a shot over the bar.

As the game progressed it always looked as if the Juniors would add to the score and with Lennon and Barr holding the forward line well Portadown had no answer to the Juniors determination to win the game.

Cromie in goal was as solid as ever and when the final whistle sounded it was greeted with loud cheers from the appreciative support. This was an outstanding performance from the Juniors who had outplayed an impressive Portadown side in all departments.

The performance was one of self belief, determination, grit and a desire to win but most importantly it was the all round teamwork that shone through.

The Juniors sit proudly in second place with the title in their grasp but they have a very important cup final next week and with the same attributes shown today there is no reason why they can’t win that piece of coveted silverware.

Team: J Cromie, P Morgan, N Dillon, J McCandless, J McAtamney, C Downey, G Fearon, S Hamilton, D McKinstry, R Angus, C Duffin, D Barr, J Lennon.