BANBRIDGE TOWN – 1 BALLYMONEY UNITED – 3

Report by Taylor Kearney

Banbridge Town’s poor home form continued following a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Ballymoney Untied at Crystal Park, last night. Town were missing hit-man Timmy Grant and winger Mark Teggart was absent due to ligament damage. Veteran Paul Evans found himself back in the squad at left-back so Jeff Brady was pushed into left midfield.

Town were on the back foot from the word go and fell behind after 8 minutes from the penalty spot. The ball bounced and struck King’s hand in the unluckiest of fashions and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. United’s Gareth Mc Laughlin stood up and fired past Wilton into the bottom right corner.

Town had their first chance 5 minutes later when Dale Malone’s floated free kick missed all Town heads and crept wide. Seconds later centre midfielder Matty Mc Cartan’s finely struck volley was smothered by ‘Money ‘keeper Martin.

United nearly doubled their lead on 19 minutes when a deflected shot looped over a helpless Wilton, however to the ‘keeper’s relief; struck the bar.

Bann found that all important equaliser on the 32nd minute following some great build-up play. A smart one-two between Malone and Brady set up a great cross which Simon Robb converted past Martin. This goal seemed to urge the Town on and they were now playing much more fluid football. This was evident 4 minutes later when Brady went close to giving Banbridge the lead. A great run was nearly topped off with a nice goal but the make-shift winger was forced into a tight angle and his final effort fizzed inches wide.

Disaster struck for the Town early in the second half. With only 2 minutes gone, Ballymoney took the lead as a result of some poor defending. Gillan found himself unmarked and fired past an advancing Wilton. Bann struggled to get back into the game but nearly found an equaliser on 67 minutes when striker Clydesdale chipped over ‘keeper Martin only to see his chance cleared off the line by Mc Quitty.

Banbridge’s best chance to salvage a point came with 7 minutes remaining when King’s header from a Malone corner was yet again cleared off the line by Mc Quitty. To add insult to injury it was Mc Quitty who put the final nail in Town’s coffin firing home with minutes left from an indirect free kick following a debatable backpass.

Another disappointing home performance from the local lads who haven’t won in the league at home since November. Their away form, however, has been great and travel to Larne on Saturday hoping to pick up 3 points. The game, at Inver Park, has a 3:00pm kick off.

Man of the Match: Greg Hall

Banbridge: Wilton, Hall, Evans, Copeland, King, Mc Parland, Robb, Mc Cartan, Clydesdale, Malone, Brady. Subs: Mallon, Matier, Nelson.

Ballymoney: Martin, Richie, Og Boyle, Mc Quitty, Hill, Gage, Mc Laughlin, Mc Clelland, Gillan, Mc Lernon, Gillan. Subs: Mc Kenna, O’Neill, Mc Kenna.