Reports by Peter McKnight.  1st XI vs Cookstown.  Banbridge Academy 1st XI travelled to Cookstown to compete in their first McCullough cup match of the season. The match started with Bann controlling the game but frustratingly were unable to covert chances early on. Against the run of play Cookstown opened the scoring with a short corner hit. However, Bann soon retaliated with a goal as Jake Rowe broke into the circle and neatly put the ball into the back of the net. As the first half was drawing to a close, Bann soon grabbed another goal from a short corner scored by James Anderson making the score 2-1 at half time. Bann started the second half with a significantly higher speed of play and passing became much sharper. This led to Mark Barlow furthering Bann’s lead with some sharp skill and a clever finish. Cookstown made a few attempts to get forward but the solid defending of James Anderson, Mark Adair and Dylan Cowan was enough to keep them out. After some good link up play from Joel Reid, Jake Rowe received the ball on the bi-line and took it smartly past two players, then slotted the ball into the bottom corner making the score 4-1. Immediately the men in red went on the attack once again with Kyle Marshall entering the circle and placing a sweet volley into the back of the net making it 5-1. In the closing stages of the second half with the game well in Bann’s grasp, Bann won a short corner which was sweetly executed by Kyle Marshall into the side netting making the final score 6-1 to Bann.

A very good start to the 1st XI’s McCullough cup campaign; they now look to play Inst at home in week 2.
2nd XI vs Campbell.  The 2nd XI began their McCullough cup campaign with an early morning away fixture to Campbell College Belfast. The seconds kicked off their match with some promising forays into Campbell’s penalty circle, Matthew Young being the 2nd XI main attacking threat. The 2nd XI displayed great passing throughout the first half with Aaron McConnell and Steven Campbell creating many impressive attacking passes. The 2nd XI defence showed great structure, with Lee Groves, Matthew Graham and Sam McMurray displaying excellent defending in the face of many Campbell attacks. However it was not to last as Campbell managed to bring the scoreline to 1-0. After the halftime break the 2nd XI came out rejuvenated with the game far from over. The 2nd XI continued to pressure the Campbell defence with Chris Campbell, Alex Donnelly and Corey Large working the Campbell defence and forcing them to lose possession. Campbell however managed to work 2 more goals past the 2nd XI. In all, an impressive display from Dave Agnew’s 2s which saw great passing and defensive work from the 2nd XI.
A tremendous result against a strong 1st XI and a credit to the hard work of David Agnew and the 2nd XI.
U15s vs Cookstown

The match started fast-paced with a strong Banbridge side using quick, fluid passes with promising runs from the outset. Luke McConnell, playing centre midfield immediately took control of the game and played strong passes to the wide men, Harry Farson and Alex Jordan. Bann attacked relentlessly but had to defend equally as hard with a strong defensive line of John Scott, Matthew Anderson, Lewis Bingham and Samuel Megaw making clinical tackles. Good patterns of play allowed Josh Mcadam, Oren Shimmons and Ross Scott plentiful scoring opportunities but the Cookstown defence and keeper weren’t giving in easily.

Then in the second half Lewis Bingham made a good run forward only to lose the ball just inside the Cookstown twenty-five. The game gradually grew more intense with both teams attacking with extreme force and defending even harder. With roughly ten minutes remaining Lewis Bingham sprinted down the line, cut into the middle of the pitch, penetrated top D and swept the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Cookstown then attacked the Bann twenty-five with fierce determination and won several penalty corners. Eventually the ball was smashed bottom left and the score was levelled. Banbridge then tried to regain their lead on the game with Shimmons taking a few chances but the ball never found the net.
The game finished a 1-1 draw.
U13s vs Cookstown
On Saturday 19th September, Banbridge Academy U13s played Cookstown away. The match started off very evenly with good possession from both teams. The first goal came 10 minutes into the match with Lewis Groves running along right midfield with a cross to Chris Curry who took it around the Cookstown keeper with a reverse slap to the middle of the goal. 1-0. Good passing work from Jamie McArdle, Josh Gibson and Christian Fee led to Edward Rowe dribbling the pitch to end the run with a reverse through the keeper’s legs. 2-0. There was some great passing in the middle between Mark Cowan, Josh Priestly and defender Christian Fee to bring the ball around the back up to Lewis Groves. Lewis played a through ball to Edward Rowe who took the ball around two defenders with an outrageous reverse hit to the top left hand corner of the net. 3-0.

Another brilliant performance from the boys as they continue to impress.