U11s are crowned League champions

In doing so the Juniors completed the double in only their second season together.

The finale to the season was nerve wrecking as the Juniors were four points clear having played all their games but Ridgeway had two games in hand and had to win both of them to win the league. However the defining moment was on Thursday night when the Juniors met Ridgeway in what was to be the title decider!

The drama unfolded before their game with Ridgeway when the Juniors previous two games ended with mixed fortunes. They easily disposed of Ballyclare 4–0 with Hamilton scoring a hat trick and Dillon netting at the end.

On to Monday night when the Juniors struggled to secure a 1-1 draw against a dogged Shankill side with Davy Barr netting a last gasp equaliser. Was this the defining moment?

The Juniors now had to beat Ridgeway on Thursday to stand a chance of winning the title and when the team assembled the confidence was evident as they took to the field.

Having beaten their fierce rivals on two occasions already this season including a cup final win the Juniors started extremely well and had Ridgeway on the back foot.

But for all their possession the Juniors could not find a way through and the game was now building into a classic as both teams exuberated football of the highest calibre.

A few chances went begging for the Juniors but midway through the first half the deadlock was broken. An indirect free kick was awarded to the Juniors. The ball was rolled to Hamilton by McCandless who curled the ball into the top corner.

The determination of the Juniors to win this game was evident as the goal celebrations were short and they regrouped immediately closing down Ridgeway’s kick off! There was now a sense of authority and maturity amongst the team and the football played was a pleasure to watch.

With half time approaching the Juniors consolidated their superiority with a superb goal by Angus. Dillon won the ball in a crunching tackle and found space on the left. He carried the ball forward before releasing Angus with a superbly weighted pass.

Playing as a lone striker Angus outpaced his marker before rifling a left footed shot under the advancing keeper. A super all round goal and much credit has to be given to Dillon who went on to produce a master class in defending.

Again there were short lived celebrations as the Juniors re grouped and they left the field at half time to rousing applause from the travelling support.

However the game wasn’t over and the Juniors had to give the same commitment again if they were to win the match. Ridgeway appeared deflated as the second half progressed and it was all Banbridge as Duffin and Downey had a couple of chances.

At the other end Cromie was alert to several long range efforts and the Juniors endured a scare as Ridgeway crashed a shot of the bar.

But the Juniors saw out the game comfortably but they knew that the title was now in the hands of their opponents. The Juniors now had to endure a nervy few days!

News broke on Saturday that Ridgeway failed in their penultimate game and the Juniors were now champions! What a contrast to this time last year when they lost out in both league and cup in the space of a few days. There were defining moments during matches throughout the season which one could argue attributed to this magnificent achievement but collectively the team became a ‘team.’

They played for each other, encouraged one another, supported one another but most importantly the team showed determination, character and probably most of all a belief to succeed.

These are the ingredients that champions are made of. Well done lads.

TEAM/SQUAD 2009/2010: James Cromie, Paul Morgan, Neil Dillon, Jamie McCandless, Jamie McAtamney, Cormac Downey, Gavin Fearon, Stuart Hamilton, Danny McKinstry, Ryan Angus, Ciaran Duffin, Davy Barr, Jack Lennon, Ryan Devlin.

A thank you to Ryan Angus, Stuart Hamilton, Jamie McCandless and Davy Barr who after the Ridgeway v Portadown game went and offered their sincere thanks and appreciation to the Ridgeway team for such a magnificent battle this season.

The boys were worthy ambassadors for Banbridge Town Juniors FC and their appreciation was was acknowledged by a fitting round of applause by the Ridgeway management, staff and players.