Blues dump Lurgan Celtic out of the cup

Banbridge Rangers 4

BANBRIDGE Rangers second round Marshall Cup tie against Mid Ulster Division One side Lurgan Celtic on Saturday was played on a poor pitch at Gordon Playing Fields in Lurgan.

Banbridge Rangers had more of the possession and looked more likely to open the scoring from the start with both Jason Gourley and Gareth Fulton linking well up front. It was Fulton who turned provider on 20 minutes crossing for the onrushing Scottie Ward who struck an impressive volley to give Rangers the lead.

Banbridge Rangers continued to look comfortable right throughout the half and were unlucky to go into the half time break level when Chris Chambers was adjudged to have fouled in the area. Lurgan Celtic scored the resultant penalty to give themselves a chance in the cup tie going into the second half.

Banbridge Rangers came out stronger again for the second period and restored their lead when Jason Gourley swept home after some good build up play from the Rangers midfield.

The tie was made secure 15 minutes into the second half when Chris Chambers rose highest in the box and his header was guided into the back of the Celtic net. Banbridge Rangers continued to be at ease against their opponents with Fulton's workrate paying dividends for the team and his fellow striker Gourley who scored his second of the match firing home from ten yards after Fulton had set him up.

Aaron Chambers and Andy McCandless came on into midfield in the second half with Chambers stepping up confidently from the Reserve team set up.

After the league match with Broomhedge there is further cup action when the team travel to Cookstown this Saturday in the Bob Radcliffe Cup.

Banbridge Rangers now progress to the next round of the Mid Ulsters version of the FA Cup and will meet fellow Intermediate B side Camlough Rovers who have had an impressive start to the season and put six past Lurgan Town on Saturday in the Marshall Cup.