The Senior Boys Football Team were defeated in a highly competitive encounter on Friday in the Under 16 North Down Schools Football Final. Despite the scoreline, our boys put on an excellent show of determination, had work and resilience up against a very good Bangor Academy team.

In the early exchanges both teams worked hard and cancelled each other out, with only a few half chances presenting themselves to either team. As the half progressed, Nendrum continued to frustrate Bangor with captain Alex assured in goals and more than a match for anything coming his way. Dylan, Asher, Jamie and Lewis applied themselves excellently in defence showing outstanding organisation and giving the team the base to remain in control of the game. Jenson, Rudi, Charlie, Daniel and Jay in midfield provided the team with energy and gave as good as they got throughout the first half. Up top Semi Final hat trick hero James lead the line well managed to sniff out a couple of half chances.

Alex in goals made two excellent saves to keep the score level at half time. With us well in the game, the opening exchanges of the half continued in the same fashion until Bangor broke the deadlock with a well taken free kick. Lifted by this, Bangor added a second with a fine strike from 20 yards. Not to be derailed, the boys kept fighting and almost pulled a goal back when Charlie’s header from 5 yards went narrowly over the bar. We continued to press and went even closer when Daniel’s excellent shot from 30 yards clipped the cross bar. This was followed up with some eye catching work from Jenson and Jay, but the Bangor keeper equal to both efforts. With the game remaining competitive, Bangor sealed their victory with what can only be described as an absolute wonder goal with their striker picking the ball up all of 30 yards from goal and rifling a shot into the top corner. A goal worthy of winning any contest.

Despite the disappointment, the boys have are Runners up in The North Down Schools competition. Something we are all very proud of and the boys deserve huge credit for their efforts to achieve this.

Congratulations to Bangor Academy on their victory.

We would also like to thank all the supporters, pupils, families and friends who made the occasion extra special for both teams.