Sam’s yer man
North Down 1-2 Banbridge
Sam Farson produced a late winner and a man of the match performance to send Banbridge through to semi finals of the Under 15 Ulster Cup.
The Under 15’s travelled to Comber last night to face a North Down side that had won 17:0 against Mossley in an earlier round. The Comber side also possessed two excellent Ulster Under 16 players in Peter McKibbon and Rowan Poots. Bann entered the game missing a number of key players, however started the game very brightly with early chances for Sam Farson & Peter McKnight (Son of Bann Legend Joe). The promising start didn’t yield any goals and North Down gradually started to get into their stride with McKibbon and Poots at the heart of everything; however Banns Josh Rowe and David Armstrong were more than equal to the challenge.
Bann regained control and started to look threatening every time they went forward with Reid, Farson and Brown all creating passing moves from deep that penetrated the home side defence. Robbie Scott and Peter McKnight were working tremendously hard and the latter got his reward, when a quick passing move ended at the feet of the Rathfriland man and he thundered low to the bottom corner. 0-1 Bann
Scott and McKnight continued to be threaten as Bann dominated the remaining minutes of the first half with Scott going extremely close with a great reverse shot from the centre of goal.
Half time: North Down 0-1 Banbridge
Bann started sluggishly in the second period and North Down exerted pressure on the locals goal but some strong defending from Rowe, Bennington, Watson and the impressive Hurst kept the comber side at bay. Bann gradually came alive with Farson and McKnight going very close to extending the lead, however with 10 minutes left North Down drew level with a great goal leaving Skillen in the Bann goal no chance.
Bann were stunned but the young side regrouped and surged up field and with eight minutes left Man of Match Sam Farson produced a stunning finish from wide right in the circle. Bann were not just happy to defend as they retained possession of the ball and subsequently frustrated the home sides fight back.
The final whistle sounded and ended a very competitive game of hockey with Bann happy to advance to the semi-finals later in the month.
Final score: North Down 1-2 Banbridge