Bann Thirds narrowly lose out to strong South Antrim side

Banbridge Thirds 2

Banbridge Thirds travelled down to Lisburn to take on South Antrim Seconds at the new complex at Friends School, last weekend.

Both sides started positively without troubling either keeper.

Midway through the first half South Antrim entered the Banbridge circle through the right baseline and after the ball was pulled back an advancing midfielder was on hand to slap the ball past the helpless Moony.

South Antrim soon doubled the lead when an overhead was misjudged by the Banbridge defence and the South Antrim attacker finished well into the bottom corner.

Banbridge did win a couple of short corners towards the end of the half with one being cleared off the line.

Banbridge required to come out fast out of the traps but it was actually South Antrim who started better and increased their lead within five minutes of the second half.

A shot from a short corner was well saved by Moony but a South Antrim player was on hand to slot the rebound in.

Solo

The third goal finally triggered Banbridge into life and an excellent solo run by Matthews nearly saw them pull a goal back but his final shot just went past the post.

A bad tackle within the South Antrim circle saw Banbridge being awarded a penalty stroke and Matthews fired the ball into the bottom corner. Banbridge continued to press forward and a crash ball from Scott found Sneddon unmarked at the back post after being deflected over several players and he made no mistake from close range.

With only a couple of minutes left Banbridge couldn’t find an equaliser and South Antrim ran out winners in a close contest.