The
Official website of Banbridge Town Football Club
2009
-Honours
Irish League 'B' Division Champions 1955/56 George Wilson Cup Winners 1976/77 IFA Intermediate Cup Winners 1985/86 Louis Moore Cup Winners 1955/56, 1967/68 Mid-Ulster Cup Winners 1948/49, 1958/59, 1973/74, 1979/80 Bob Radcliffe Cup Winners 1980/81 Alan Wilson Memorial Cup Winners 1986/87
-NEWS
Banbridge Town Juniors Ayr Trip 2006 24 April 2006
The Junior footballers of Banbridge did themselves and the Town proud on their recent trip to Ayr for the Easter festival of football. The trip must have been the biggest ever exodus of footballers from the Town as a party of over 160 including six teams in five different age groups departed from Banbridge Leisure Centre on Monday 10th April.
Those who travelled whether to play or support were not to be disappointed as the local lads came home weighed down with silverware.
Under 13's The Under 13's led the way coming out on top with five straight wins in their qualifying group against Edinburgh City, Grangemouth, Dundee West, Vale of Tay and Cowie Colts rattling in 19 goals and conceding only 3. This set up a final clash with Grangemouth with the locals grabbing the glory in a two nil win. The Under 13's continue to set a high standard and could yet add the League Title and Cup to their impressive list of titles before the season reaches its end. Yhe one down side of the trip was the knee injury to Mattie Bagnall, with all at the club wishing him a speedy recovery hopefully in time to compete in the Foyle Cup in July.
Under 12's Banbridge opened their account in the under 13 group stages with a one all draw against Sunderland side Fulwell Juniors. Jamie Wharton bundled an Oisin Lynch corner over the line from close range inside the first three minutes. Fulwell equalised three minutes later and each team seemed happy with a point from a close but entertaining encounter.
The afternoon match saw the locals up against Markinch Star from Fife and their big centre forward proved too hot to handle helping his side to a 4-2 interval lead. Rory Battersby came off the bench at half time and produced an excellent individual performance in keeping the front man quiet but could not prevent his side from eventually losing 5-3.
Star man of this match was Jemar Hall who scored all three goals and was already striking up a useful understanding with guest player Andy Mallen making a welcome reappearance for his hometown club.
Wednesday morning opponent's were Bishopbriggs Colts from Falkirk and were easily beaten ten nil with Shay McCartan scoring four, another hat trick for Hall, two goals from the increasingingly influential Mallen and a single strike from Chris Stevenson. All this meant that Town would have to beat Partick Thistle by three goals to reach the knockout stages. This seemed a tall order as Partick had looked the best side in the tournament and had already drawn three all with Markinch Star. A large crowd had gathered for this game with a number of clubs aligning themselves with Banbridge and without doubt they saw one of the best games of the whole competition. Two goals each from Hall, McCartan and Mallen eased Town into the semi final as Banbridge produced their best display of the season. A feature of this game was Andy Mallen’s accuracy from set plays. He scored his side's second goal from a thirty-yard free kick before launching an outrageous attempt from just outside the centre circle, which the keeper could only parry, for Hall to tap home the rebound. Partick Thistle lost their discipline as they realised they were going out of the competition and had two players sent off in the closing stages. Their players and officials then refused to shake hands afterwards but nothing could take the shine off a superb all round team performance.
Gairdoch United, a feeder club for Falkirk FC, provided the semi-final opposition, taking the lead half way through the first half. Mallen did the trick once again from a corner minutes later when he picked out Hall and his glancing header found the bottom corner. Gairdoch probably played the better football throughout this game and deservedly took the lead from a free kick after eighteen second half minutes. Banbridge then went all out for an equaliser with Battersby earning a free kick forty seconds from time and Mallen expertly curling his effort over the wall and into the bottom corner. In the absence of extra time the tie went straight to penalties with Keelan McKinstry continuing his high level of performance and saving Gairdoch's first attempt. Successful efforts from Mallen, Battersby, McCartan and Lynch were enough to make the final as a Gairdoch player put his side's fourth spot kick wide of the post.
St John's FC, Fife came out on top of the other semi-final beating Markinch Star by the odd goal in seven, and set up a mouth watering tie with the locals. St John's were well represented among the spectators during the Partick Thistle game and ensured the final was played in good spirit by shaking hands before the match and wishing both sides all the best.
The final began in a hailstorm with the referee taking both sides off the pitch after only two minutes due to the severity of the weather. When play resumed both sides seemed edgy and there was little flowing football played in very difficult conditions. Banbridge literally weathered the first half storm and turned round with the wind now in their favour and took advantage in the first few minutes. McCartan's wind-assisted left wing cross deceived the St John's keeper and the Juniors somewhat fortuitously found themselves one nil up. Hall added a second two minutes later before Mallen netted from the penalty spot after having being fouled to seal the win.
More bad luck was to follow for the St John's keeper as he spilled a right wing cross from Hall to give the scoreline a flattering look. Despite the defeat St John's are to be congratulated for their sportsmanship throughout and certainly helped make it a day to remember for all of the Banbridge squad.
Under 11's The under elevens had two sides entered in the seven a side competition and produced yet more glory for the juniors, their team A won the competition racking up eight wins and two draws, scoring 23 and conceding only 3 goals in their ten games. Results included wins against Kilmarnock, Ayr Boswell, Troon and Cowie Hearts an all nine squad players produced the goods with a special mention for Lee McCullough who found the net no fewer than 14 times including a wonder strike against Kilmarnock which earned him the magic moment award for his age group.
Michael Ferguson and Jack McCreanor formed a formidable barrier at the back with keeper James McConville proving to be equally effective on the rare occasions the defence was breached, he almost grabbed a goal as well with a huge goal kick striking the Kilmarnock cross bar.
Jake Redpath and Greg McCabe are as good a midfield partnership as you could find in junior football and both worked tirelessly throughout the tournament chipping in with goals when needed. Connor Cranny was a continual threat to their opponents and scored a superb lob against Troon Thistle and with Ethan Davenport and Tiger Moan working hard and passing well Team A looked easily the best side in the competition and the players enjoyed their taste of success.
Team B finished joint third with some excellent results including a 3-0 victory over Kilmarnock, all players contributed with Jamie McGivern and Andy McLarty both in outstanding form causing problems from midfield and up front. Mark Baird showed what a good keeper he is and Chris Crawford, Scott Martin, Brendan D'Arcy, Liam McGarry, Thomas McCallister and Rameen Loughlin all giving a good account of themselves, indeed after day 1 they sat proudly on top of the table and but for a few pieces of bad luck could have easily finished first or second.
Under 10's Banbridge Under 10's travelled to the Spring & Easter Festival of football in Ayr with a strong squad of 8 players, Adam Johnston, Paedar Finnegan, Jack Scappaticci, Declan Cranny, David Carleton, Andrew Campbell, Jordan McKinstry & Conor Magee.
Banbridge Under 10's 1 Hillsborough 1 In their first game the boys faced a familiar team in the form of Hillsborough and this proved to be a difficult match. Banbridge dominated the game for long periods but had only a Paedar Finnegan goal to show for it by half time.
In the second half Banbridge again had most of the play but couldn't finish off Hillsborough when the inevitable happened and Hillsborough scored a goal against the run of play to finish the game 1-1.
Banbridge Under 10's 5 Enderslie Wallace (Scotland) 1 Banbridge started the game very strongly but they conceded a free kick close to their goal, which the Enderslie forward scored with an inch perfect strike. This spurred Banbridge on and they quickly recovered with David Carleton scoring in the top corner to level the scores at halftime.
In the second half Banbridge continued to press and scored through Andrew Campbell and Conor Magee in quick succession. Conor again showed his strength on the ball when he fired home another 2 goals to get his hat-trick and Banbridge won comfortably 5-1.
Banbridge Under 10's 5 Stewartown (Scotland) 1 Banbridge continued their free scoring style in the next game as Conor Magee scored within seconds of the start of the game. David Carleton then hit a high dipping shot which found the top corner. The Under 10's defence were clearing everything that came their way with Jack Scappaticci & Declan Cranny having excellent games.
Banbridge stepped up a gear and Conor Magee, Jordan McKinstry and Paedar Finnegan all scored to finish off Stewartown.
Banbridge 0 Hoyland Red (England) 1 This was a tough game for Banbridge as the Hoyland Red boys resorted to a physical game and a few dubious decisions were given by the officials. Banbridge were playing the better football but were being hacked down any time they got near the Hoyland goal.
Hoyland scored early in the second half and Banbridge never regained their composure as they went on to lose 1-0.
Banbridge 0 Edinburgh (Scotland) 0 The game against Edinburgh proved to be a difficult one as both teams seemed evenly matched. This is how the game played out with Banbridge limited to long range efforts. Declan Cranny hit the bar and Jack Scappaticci had a blistering strike saved by the Edinburgh keeper.
Banbridge 5 Kilmarnock (Scotland) 1 After a difficult couple of games Banbridge came bouncing back to their best with this win over Kilmarnock. It was Kilmarnock who scored first but this woke Banbridge up and they were soon charging forward. Paedar Finnegan scored the first with Andrew Campbell getting his goal soon after.
In the second half Banbridge were much the stronger team and goals from Conor Magee, Paedar again and it was good to see the defence getting in on the act with Declan Cranny getting a goal.
Banbridge 2 Loughside (Scotland) 5 In the final game Banbridge played the strongest team in their division and went behind early on from a very well struck free kick which gave Adam Johnston no chance in the Banbridge goal. Loughside continued strongly and at half time were 4-0 up.
In the second half coach Brendan Magee made a few positional changes and this seemed to rattle Loughside as Banbridge pulled back two goals through Jack Scappaticci but the fight back was short lived as Loughside finished strongly with another goal to win the game and top the group.
Banbridge finished the tournament with 3 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses giving them 2nd place in their group. The boys played their hearts out and were very unlucky not to have won the group. Coach Brendan Magee praised them for their efforts and their conduct both on and off the pitch and all the boys were in buoyant mood on the journey home.
Under 9's Ned Campbell's under 9 team gained great experience against the likes of Dundee United and performed admirably with one of their young players grabbing the magic moment award for his age group. The under 9's will have gained great experience from this trip and it will stand them in good stead for next season.
The trip was an overwhelming success for the biggest and most successful club in local football and the players and supporters can be proud of the way they performed on the field and conducted themselves of it. All of those who travelled wish to extend their appreciation to Banbridge District Council and Rushmere shopping centre for their kind financial support towards the trip.
All associated with the Juniors also wish to say thank you to Wendy Burns who worked tirelessly in organising the trip and who gains immense credit from the way in which the trip ran without a hitch. By the end of the trip all the talk was regarding where they could go to next year.
