U15s dominate at home to Hillsborough

TOWN Juniors Under-15s picked up a fully deserved three points after dominating Saturday morning’s clash with Hillsborough at Havelock Park.

The local lads had the edge throughout the contest, although they had to wait until the second half to turn their superiority into goals.

Banbridge probed for the breakthrough during a first half in which they enjoyed the bulk of the play, but they struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Hillsborough, who had offered little attacking threat until then, almost made the locals pay as half-time approached when Stuart Wilson had to be alert to claw the ball back from the goal line after a high ball had caused confusion in the Banbridge defence.

After the break Banbridge continued on the front foot and were rewarded with the first goal six minutes into the second half when Luke Diamond rose highest at the back post to power home a header from a Kyle Thompson right wing corner.

Within four minutes the advantage was doubled after an incisive through ball from Luke Diamond found Nathan Weir. As he was challenged the ball broke loose on the edge of the penalty area for Stephen McKay to crash an unstoppable shot into the top right corner, fitting rewarded for a hard-working performance in midfield.

Banbridge were now well on top and threatening more goals with Luke Diamond coming into his own with some superb link-up play with the other forwards.

At the other end Hillsborough wasted a couple of headed opportunities to reduce the deficit, but by and large the Banbridge defence, well marshalled by Daire McCluskey, coped well with what the visitors had to offer.

Overall a deserved victory for the Juniors with all 11 players putting in a solid shift against stubborn opponents.

Team: Stuart Wilson, Nathan Thompson, Daire McCluskey, Jack Canning, Daniel Devlin, Nathan Weir, Niall Massey, Stephen McKay, Jack Fullerton, Luke Diamond, Kyle Thompson.