With a lot of the game played in the air the two teams seemed evenly matched with Lee McCullough and Jordan McCracken trying to support Ryan Burns in search of an equaliser. Rangers had the majority of chances with half a dozen corners in the first half but failed to make their physical dominance count when attacking. Willie Davison and Mark Ball were busted in the first half trying to match the away teams passing and movement in the middle of the park but fought well right to the half.
Rangers regrouped and the second half started better with the back four of Baird, Sergeant, McElderry and Matchett looking more comfortable in front of 'keeper Mark Winter. For lengthy periods in the second half Rangers continued to move the ball up the right hand side with Gibson and Burns working well with Copes introduced into midfield to inject some pace into the attack. Timmy Topping was brought onto the left side with Rangers pushing for an equaliser but not able to create any clear cut chances.
With ten minutes remaining Rangers went for broke with Copes, McCracken and Burns all playing on the Windmill centre halves who coped well under pressure. Rangers continued to press deep in the Windmill half and were hit by a second goal when McElderry was caught at the back against three onrushing attackers who made no mistake with the finish to all but end any hopes of a positive result for the Rangers boys.
Rangers now have six matches remaining in the league but should be confident that they can take points from all of these as the team becomes stronger as a unit with every match played. Next up is Sunnyside before meeting Kesh in Armagh in two weeks time.
Banbridge Rangers Under 16s........0
Windmill Stars Under 16s...............2
Saturday 27th February 2010 10.30pm
