BANGOR Academy’s PE department needs to make space for not one, but two new trophies in the cabinet this week after their Under 16 players were crowned champions of both the Northern Ireland Schools’ Football Association Plate and the U16 North Down Cup.
The NI Plate final – played at Blanchflower Stadium on Thursday, April 27 – wasn’t short on drama.
Finlay McMaster slotted the first Academy goal from the penalty spot to draw level with opponents St Columb’s College, Derry. As the clock ran down, the match moved into extra time, but Troy Savage‘s screamer free kick in the 87th minute followed by Robbie Lockhart’s last-minute goal meant Bangor Academy had achieved a decisive 3-1 victory.
The Academy couldn’t rest on their laurels though, because the North Down final against Lagan College was the following day!
Unsurprisingly, Friday’s match started slowly as the Academy boys were clearly tired from their exploits 24 hours earlier. Lagan took a deserved 1-0 lead, but in the second half Bangor
had found their stride and put on a commanding display to go 4-1 up thanks to goals from
Finlay McMaster, Scott McAdams, Makenzie Gray and Troy Savage.
Lagan got a late goal to bring the final score to 4-2, with the year 12 team completing the double. Well done to all the players over the whole season and their coaches. On a final note, this was a lovely way for Michelle Crawford to end her time at the school before moving on to her new career.
