Ards Youth under 10s completed the comeback of the season to clinch the title in their section of the Lisburn Youth League.

The side, managed by Johnny Doherty, came from 3-1 down to beat Ballymena United emphatically and took the league title with one game to spare. At the culmination of a season that saw the team strike 138 goals there was surely no more worthy a side to be called 'champions'.

Ballymena had gained the first advantage of the match, played at Lisburn's Barbour Park, when they took an early lead. Ards were quick to level through Colin Kennedy only to fall 2-1 and 3-1 behind as mistakes crept in. An uphill battle for sure, but one that had to start with another goal before the break and that came from Aaron Taylor, who thumped the ball in from 18 yards.

Ards emerged for the second half a team on a mission and soon had the game levelled through Josh Doherty, whose powerful shot just couldn't be held by the goalkeeper. Ards were spurred on by the equaliser and took the game to Ballymena, who were now on the backfoot. Doherty scored again to put Ards ahead for the first time and suddenly the tide was turned.

From there Ards didn't look back. Colin Kennedy fought his way through the defence to score again and Doherty completed a hat-trick with the strike that made it 6-3 for Ards.

A fabulous victory that delivered the league title for the hard-working boys and their coaches and proves what a valuable set-up Ards FC have acquired.

ardsfc.co.uk