A goal in injury time from striker Thomas Gorman gave Ards Colts victory over Cliftonville in Wednesday night's Youth League Cup final at Ballyclare.

Gorman struck his 13th goal of the season just as the game looked set for extra-time at the end of a scoreless ninety minutes. The player known as 'Tucker' raced onto a through pass and slipped the ball under the Cliftonville keeper to steal the win in the last seconds.

Jamie Patterson holds aloft the League Cup trophy

After a slow start to the game, that allowed Cliftonville to control the play, Ards came out with a better second half showing. It was the opening period though that had all the drama, with Ards captain Ryan Newberry harshly taken out of the game by a rough tackle after only five minutes.

Worse followed when Cliftonville were awarded a 10th minute penalty kick, but their chance was blown when keeper Jason Mooney saved his second spot kick of the week to keep the game scoreless. Mooney continued to excel during the first half and thwarted the young Reds on numerous occasions.

For manager Lee Forsythe and his team the win was the pinnacle of an excellent season, the best for Ards' youth side in many years. The travelling band of Ards followers, directors and parents were delighted to see the side lift the trophy at the end. What now for a double as the first team line-up in the WKD Intermediate Cup final on Thursday night?

ardsfc.co.uk