Banbridge Town – 1 Limavady United – 2

Report by Taylor Kearney

Banbridge players and supporters felt robbed and cheated following the result on Saturday as Limavady extended their lead at the top of the league to 2 points. United scored a 96th minute winner when the referee initially signalled only 2 minutes injury time. To add to the woes Bann also had a goal disallowed and a player dismissed.

Town started brightly and had a few early chances to take the lead, first through Timmy Grant whose 9th minute volley on the turn was straight at the ‘keeper. 2 minutes later Whitla had the ball in the Limavady net when he rose highest to head home form a corner. However the referee deemed that he had fouled in the process.

Seconds later, Banbridge should have had a penalty when the ball was deliberately handled in the box by a Limavady defender; however the referee failed to witness the obvious handball despite being yards away. Limavady’s first real chance came on the 16th minute when Patton fired his header inches over.

Winger Shea Mc Gerrigan could have put Banbridge ahead with a quarter of the game gone, but his final shot after a great run lacked power and United ‘keeper Doherty had no trouble whatsoever in dealing with the shot.

Bann started the second half well and Whitla found himself through on goal 8 minutes after the break, but was unfortunately ruled offside. Limavady would have surely taken the lead on the hour mark if it wasn’t for a superb save from the Town number 1. He tipped Patrick’s fierce free kick onto the bar. Wilton was in the fray of the action minutes later, this time pulling off a fingertip save from a Mc Keever strike.

United took the lead with 15 minutes remaining when Mc Conachie headed home following a corner. It didn’t take long for the Town to bounce back. They were level after just 7 minutes. Substitute Paul Evans surged up the wing, supplying Neil Clydesdale with an easy tap in, marking his first goal in red and black.

Disaster struck the Town soon after when substitute Teggart was shown a straight red card following a tackle with Mc Nulty. After Teggart winning the ball, Mc Nulty seemed to dive in, however the referee saw it differently than everyone in Crystal Park and dismissed Teggart when really it was the Limavady player that should have been reprimanded.

Bann had a glorious chance to take the lead with minutes remaining when Dale Malone fired his shot into the ground. Soon after, Town striker Marc Whitla found himself through but his fine strike was tipped over by Doherty.

United scored the winner deep into injury time through Spratt. He headed home with 96 minutes on the clock; four more than the referee’s initial added time. The Town players were left distraught at this and walked back to the dressing rooms feeling betrayed.

Banbridge manager Colin Malone was understandably disappointed and angered by the result. “We have been let down the referee that wasn’t up to the challenge.” He continued, “However we had plenty of chances to win the game. The lads are obviously disheartened with the outcome of the game considering they performed extremely well.”

Supporters’ Man of the Match: Greg Hall

Banbridge Wilton, Hall, Brady, Copeland, King, Mc Parland, Malone, Mc Cartan, Grant, Whitla, Mc Gerrigan.

Subs: Evans, Teggart, Mc Birney, Robb, Clydesdale.

Limavady Doherty, Neill, Rodden, Mc Conachie, Mc Nulty, Patrick, Mc Keever, Spratt, Hutchinson, Patton, Clarke.

Subs: Jennings, Owens, Tommons, Mc Nutt, Walsh.