Windmill's late winner blows U17s away

Banbridge Rangers U17s 0

RANGERS came away feeling robbed of all three points last Saturday after dominating the majority of the game against current league leaders Windmill Stars.

The match kicked off 40 minutes late at Lurgan Park after Windmill Stars had been informed of wrong venue but both sides started brightly with the three man midfield of Mark Ball, Jordan McCracken and Jason Adamson winning the lions share of possession in the early battles for control of the game.

Banbridge Rangers controlled much of the ball inside Windmill's half with a series of corners allowing Rangers two centre halves to push forward and exert their authority in the air but unfortunatley McElderry and Sergeant didn’t manage to grab the opening goal.

A free kick outside the area gave Lee McCullough the opportunity to test the Windmill back line and picked out the run of Ball perfectly whose deft header went agonisingly past the post from only four yards out in Rangers clearest opportunity of the half.

Mark Ball went close again on two occasions coming from deep with both efforts going the wrong side of the goalposts as Rangers began to push for an opener. Front man Stephen Copes was ably assisted by younger brother Nathan who was tenacious in the tackle as well as terrorising the Windmill left back with every breakaway with his lightning pace.

Banbridge Rangers went into the half upbeat about turning their performance into goals.

The second half was peppered with corners and half chances with all midfielders going forward leaving the back four of McCrum, Sergeant, McElderry and Topping to deal with the rare Windmill attacks.

Nathan Sally replaced Mark Ball midway throuh the half in centre midfield with the three front men threatening to score at every opportunity.

Banbridge Rangers though they had got the breakthrough goal with 10 minutes remaining when Stephen Copes lobbed the Windmill keeper only for the referee to adjudge use of the arm when controlling the initial through ball.

Banbridge Rangers pushed in search of a winner late on and were hit on the counter attack by the Newry side with their striker stroking home past the excellent Ryan Burns from the edge of the area.

Banbridge Rangers had numerous opportunities throughout the half with McCracken and McCullough having the better opportunities but unfortunatley the result went the opposite way and Rangers will have to better their finishing for this week’s trip to Ballymoney away in another league fixture.