U12s reach Mid Ulster semis

BANBRIDGE Rangers U12s secured their place in the last four of the Mid Ulster Cup on Saturday morning with a 6-1 win over Armagh City in front of a large crowd at Cheney Park.

Armagh City had came to Banbridge at the start of the season and walked away with an eight goal victory but this performance was evident of the strides being made by the U12s who have four very good wins in a row.

Banbridge Rangers got off to a great start when Luke Brown took a speculative shot from all off 35 yards which the Armagh City keeper failed to hold and gave Rangers a lead after only a few minutes on the clock.

With the wind in their sails Banbridge Rangers doubled their lead when the strike partnership of Josh Lyttle and Luke Brown combined again with Brown slotting past the Armagh keeper.

On 17 minutes Josh Lyttle was rewarded with his 11th goal in the last four games when he fired low in the far left hand corner when sent free by a through ball from midfield. Bailey Russell and Chris Oakes linked up well for Rangers fourth goal just before half time with the final ball being played into the path off Luke Brown who shot across the keeper and into the far corner to secure a first half hat-trick.

Armagh started the second half with a point to prove and should have brought a goal back when they were awarded a penalty but it was put high over the bar. This didn’t deter the travelling side who were able to reduce the arrears six minutes into the half with some good work between the Armagh forwards.

The response from Banbridge Rangers was good with Aaron Butler and Josh Crawford working the ball down the left hand side and into the path of Luke Brown who was brimming with confidence and struck his shot well to make four goals on the day for himself and 5-1 for the team.

Armagh were unable to threaten again as the centre half pairing off Josh Martin and Charlie Hillis read everything up in front of keeper Matthew Hillis.

Last season’s top scorer Chris Oakes got back amongst the scorers when he rifled a right foot shot high into the top corner after some good work down the right hand side involving Kris Thompson and Harry Patterson.

Banbridge Rangers reward is a home tie in the Semi Finals against Dungannon Colts on Saturday 23rd March at Cheney Park. Before that Rangers U12s have a League Cup game this Saturday morning at Cheney Park against Lurgan Town with kick off at 10.30am.

The Under 14s are also in action in the League Cup this Saturday and take on St Marys at the Tech with kick off also at 10.30am.

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