Bann kill off Dale's league title hopes

Annadale 2

BANBRIDGE were left reflecting on their midweek result, when they squandered a 2-0 lead against Inst to lose 3-2. Even after they defeated Annadale 4-2, killing off Dale’s title chances.

If they are to stand any hope of winning the title, they still need Annadale to do them a big favour - defeat Cookstown on the 21 April.

“I wasn’t pleased with our performance midweek,” said Bann coach Mark Tumilty.

“To throw away a two goal lead wasn’t good, but to lose Bruce McCandless just before the game, and with some of the other more experienced senior players out, we looked light for the first time this season.

“But we got a reaction on Saturday, and it’s not all over yet, Cookstown have to go to Annadale and get a result, and we have to win our remaining two games. Hopefully Annadale can do us a favour as they have already beaten them this year.”

With less than five minutes on the clock, Bann raced into an early lead after Dane Ward smashed home a screamer. Ian Hamilton levelled it in the 21st minute, with a well executed penalty corner.

But, in a devastating final four minutes off the half, Bann raced into a two goal lead, when Josh Moffett deflected home a Ross McCandless shot. And then on 34 minutes, McCandless grabbed his 38th goal of the season.

As the second half got underway Annadale lifted the pace and in the 52nd Ian Hamilton was unlucky to see his shot thump of the Bann upright.

Two minutes later, even with Annadale down to ten men, when Neil Hamilton was yellow carded, Dale got back in the hunt. Fraser Mills cut down the right to send in a vicious cross, which was met first time by Ian Hamilton to claim his second.

It was Annadale, and in the 61st minute they once again sprung open the Bann defence, only for William Edgar to miss the simplest of chances which proved costly.

With Annadale pushing forward, Bann burst from defence for Colin Dowds to set up Banbridge Academy schoolboy, Philip Doyle, to score his first premiership goal and seal the points for Bann.

- ANNADALE II’s claimed the McClement’s Cup in style hitting half a dozen past Banbridge II’s at Havelock Park on Saturday morning.