Bann Fours edged out by rivals Garvey

The match started with both sets of attack testing the defences quite early on. Banbridge got into some very nice positions on the edge of the D but Lisnagarvey managed to smother the threat easily.

Garvey scored first with a quick break down the right and a low ball being deflected past Adam in goals. They scored a quick second when they netted an unstoppable corner.

Despite these goals, Banbridge were unaffected and focused on playing their own game. They quickly responded with a couple of great attempts on goal and Bill Malcolmson found plenty of joy dribbling past defenders on the left and driving into the D looking for the cutback.

Joe McKnight scored from a short corner to make the game 1-2. Garvey replied again though with another break away goal. Their attacker ran into the D and easily dispatched a shot past the Bann keeper.

Bann yet again responded really well and had another couple of chances to score. Matthew Clarke forced an excellent save with a diving deflection to the keeper’s left and Joe McKnight shot just wide also. The half finished 1-3 despite all the chances being produced.

The second half was dominated by Bann as Charlie Norris made some exceptional runs from left back and Ben McConnell ghosted past the Garvey midfield and defence from right back.

All of the hard work paid off when the ball was played into the D to Matthew Clarke who unselfishly squared the ball, instead of shooting, for Nathan Liggett to sweep it in past the goalkeeper, 2-3.

With ten minutes left, Bann kept plugging away for the equaliser but couldn’t quite manage it.