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In front of a strong local turnout on Tuesday evening, a jubilant Windmill Stars clinched the Mid Ulster Youth League U17 Premiership Title in Jennings Park in a winner takes all final tie versus Portadown-based Annagh United.
Both teams had gone unbeaten in the 8 team Premiership league after qualifying in the top 4 of their respective divisions. Each on equal points and equal goal difference going into the match, Windmill went 2 goals down inside 7 minutes. Shell-shocked, the group pulled together and persevered, striking one back after 13 minutes to calm the nerves and regain their composure.
The teams went in at half time with the scoreline at 1-2, but with Windmill in the ascendency. After the break, the leveller didn't take long with Windmill scoring from a fantastic free kick just outside the box 2 minutes after the restart. Galvanised and fighting for every ball against a superbly well organised and dangerous Annagh side, Windmill pressed for the lead. The lads' tenacity was rewarded on the 49th minute, moving into the lead for the first time in the match with a well worked team goal.
Annagh continued to push for an equaliser, however, the robust Windmill defence held out and a two goal gap came 4 minutes from normal time to make it 4-2 to Windmill Stars. Shoring up the defence and managing the game to the finish became the key priority as Windmill held on to record an invincible league run with 7 wins from 7. Congratulations to the squad and coaches Karl McCaughey, Vincey Doran and Mickey O'Hanlon for overseeing an amazing season for these young men - a season they'll look back on fondly for many years to come.
Report: Gary McArdle
