Banbridge 2nd XI 6 – 0 Grosvenor 1st XI. Portadown MHC 2 – 1 Banbridge U15s.  Banbridge U14s 4 – 3 Grosvenor Grammar. U12 Boys 5 – 2 Friends School, Lisburn.

U12 Report by Nathan Reid 8G.  On Friday 27th November,  the eleven Academy boys playing for the under 12 hockey team ran out on to the saturated pitch knowing that it was going to be a tough match against Friends School, Lisburn. After 5 minutes Jordan Nummy hit one into the bottom corner bringing Banbridge Academy into the lead. A few minutes later Nathan Reid deflected a shot from Louis Rowe into the bottom corner. Then Friends came into the circle just a few minutes later and scored, making it 2-1. Louis Rowe then scored two crackers making it 4-1 and putting Banbridge Academy well into the lead. Friends scored again from a short corner well into the second half. Towards the end, Louis Rowe scored his hat-trick with a few minutes to spare. Charlie Rowe did some brilliant dribbling down the line and Seb Best had some cracking shots and was unlucky not to score. The defenders played their part very well and made some outstanding tackles. The keeper James Roleston made some top class saves and did very well during the match. The final score was 5-2 and every one on the team did exceptionally well and played their role superbly. Well done, Under 12s.

2nd XI vs Grosvenor Grammar

On a cold wintery Saturday morning, Banbridge Academy 2nds played Grosvenor 1sts. The match started with high intensity from Banbridge with Joel Reid capitalising on a mistake from the keeper to get Banns’ first goal. After large amounts of pressure placed on the Grosvenors’ defence, Bann managed to get another as Alex Wilkins slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Bann then grabbed another when Joel Reid passed it across to Chris Campbell who slapped it into an open net. Banbridge’s defence was solid with Matthew Graham, Sam Green, Aaron Megaw and Sam McMurray not letting them into the last 25. Man of the match Steven Campbell created wonderful plays in the midfield which resulted in another 3 goals by Matthew Graham, Sam McMurray and also Alex Wilkins grabbing his second. Grosvenor’s defence was put under serious pressure in the last 20 minutes and struggled to keep possession as Bann were playing some lovely hockey throughout. The game ended Banbridge 2nd XI 6 -0 Grosvenor 1st XI. Another successful match for Banbridge Academy 2nd XI.

U15s vs Portadown MHC U16s

The match started very well for Banbridge as they were in control of possession for the opening 10 mins creating multiple chances when attacking. However Banbridge were unable to find the back of the net as the Portadown keeper made some fantastic saves to keep the score level. Portadown did not have a lot of possession but were able to cause trouble at the back for Banbridge with their fast forwards on the counter attack. This resulted in Portadown winning a controversial short corner. Portadown got a shot off which went into the back of the net. Banbridge bounced back again controlling possession and creating many more chances thanks to the speed of Mark Barlow and Lewis Bingham and the accurate passing of Harry Lockhart and Ryan Simms but were still unable to score past the Portadown keeper. Then with several minutes left Portadown broke on the counter attack and created a three on one, they passed the ball through the Bann defence and their forward slotted the ball home to make it 2-0. Shortly after it was half time and the Banbridge side were in shock as they maintained the majority of the possession and chances yet were not rewarded for it.

The second half began much like the first but Bann had made multiple positional changes to try and utilise their forwards and get them more involved in the game. Banbridges’ first goal came five minutes from time thanks to Mark Barlow who intercepted a bad pass and managed to shoot from a very acute angle on his reverse. With five minutes left Banbridge never stopped attacking putting the Portadown defence under immense pressure. But Banbridge just couldn’t find the second goal they deserved leaving the final score 2-1 to Portadown. The Bann side left in disbelief about how they didn’t score more. This was Banbridge’s first defeat of the season and has broken their winning streak. However it has made the side more determined to do better in the next game and put the loss behind then.

U14s vs Grosvenor Grammar Banbridge Academy U14s welcomed a strong Grosvenor Grammar side to Havelock Park on Saturday.  The game started with Grosvenor having some good possession, and it didn’t take long for them to take the lead, with their centre-forward grabbing an easy goal.  Bann slowly made their way back into the game and Eddie Rowe split the Grosvenor defence apart with some great strength and dribbling, then smashed the ball into the bottom corner to bring Bann level.  This settled Bann into the game, and they soon took the lead, through Eddie Rowe once again, who struck a powerful reverse past the Grosvenor keeper.  Just before half-time, some good build up play from the Bann back line, meant Bann scored a third, with Eddie Rowe getting another to get a first half hat trick.  Into the second half, Bann made a couple of changes.  Alex Jordan showed good pace and strength to get away from his marker, and he pulled the ball back to Luke McConnell, who scored with ease. However, Grosvenor managed to pull a goal back, after their winger tapped the ball in at the back post.  Grosvenor then got a third goal, and almost got a fourth, but they were denied as Bann keeper Ross Stewart made two great saves.  Bann thought they were in for a nervy finish, but Eddie Rowe again came up with the goods and grabbed himself a fourth goal, which meant the Academy U14s team enjoyed their 3rd win in a row.