There was no festive joy for the under 16s today as they were beaten one-nil by Bangor Swifts in the Ards Borough Youth Development League cup final.

Londonderry Park played host to the game after 1st Bangor's Drome Park was rained off but still an eager crowd was attracted to see Harry Ritchie's side in action.

The first forty minutes ended scoreless, with Ards up against it in truth, and the Swifts side going close on several occasions. The boat steadied in the second period and Ards had chances of their own, but still the scoresheet remained blank.

Then with around fifteen minutes to play Bangor scored a goal fitting enough to win any game, never mind a cup final. A free kick by the Swifts from all of 35 yards had the young Ards keeper beaten on its way straight into the net and that proved to be the decisive goal.

So it was runners-up medals only for the Ards boys, but each of them should take heart from the achievement of reaching the showpiece final.

ardsfc.co.uk