U15s held as Cheney survives the big freeze

This rearranged fixture pitted the Town Juniors U15s against the bottom team, but the Lurgan lads belied their lowly position with a battling display.

Banbridge had the territorial edge for much of the first half but couldn’t quite break through the stubborn Sunnyside rearguard.

When they did create an opening, following an incisive passing move through the middle, the visiting keeper was alert to deny Jack Fullerton.

Sunnyside became more of an attacking force as the half progressed and Stuart Wilson had to be alert to make a block from close range, before the crossbar came to Banbridge’s rescue.

The warning signs were there for the locals but they responded well in the opening exchanges of the second half.

Daire McCluskey, switched from the back into the forward line, almost had an instant impact as he linked up well with Kyle Thompson.

On three occasions Daire went close to breaking the deadlock, twice being denied by some fine goalkeeping.

Sunnyside, however, once again proved more of a threat as the half wore on and twice within a minute they almost snatched the lead.

At the other end Daire McCluskey continued his personal duel with the Sunnyside keeper who again thwarted him after he was set up by Niall Massey.

Both sides had chances to win it at the death, with Stuart Wilson quickly off his line to make the save as Sunnyside created their clearest chance of the contest.

At the other end the referee blew for offside with the locals waiting to tuck away the rebound after the keeper had saved a Daire McCluskey free-kick.

Overall both teams can be happy with their commitment on a bitterly cold day with two solid goalkeeping displays ensuring a decent game ended scoreless.

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