action from the final league game

There was a welcome success story last weekend for Ards as the Under Nine side won their final game of the season and with that captured the George Best Castlereagh Youth League.

The splendid achievement by the young players was made more impressive by the fact they defeated the reigning league champions Hillsborough Boys. An excellent crowd of parents, coaches and supporters made their way to Londonderry Park to encourage the side to victory and everyone involved in the success story must be congratulated.

The game itself did not have the best of openings for the Ards Youth side as they fell behind very early on, but that did not seem to shake the side from their game plan and they were soon on the attack themselves. It took just until the 12th minute for the match to be leveled, with Doherty shooting in from the edge of the box.

the winning troops

The Ards side looked to build on that goal and went close on a couple of occasions before Doherty fired in a 30 yard free kick with five minutes to the break.

Two-one to Ards and the second half saw Hillsborough defending very well and playing some good counter-attack football. Indeed it took a brilliantly well-timed tackle from Kirk to prevent a certain goal from a Hillsborough breakaway.

But when the final whistle was blown, the result was clear cut and it was truly Ards' day as they picked up the league championship after a fantastic season which has seen them lose only twice in the league.

PHOTOS: ardsyouth.co.uk

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