Clarke scores as Bann Fours concede four against Antrim

After a somewhat lacklustre start by Bann, Antrim scored through a well worked short corner.

As usual Banbridge, dug deep and got back into the game. Roger Martin passed a crisp ball to Dylan Cowan, who in turn fed Matthew Young to attack the Antrim defence. The ball was slipped to Matthew Clarke who ruthlessly fired the ball past the opposition keeper.

Roger Martin then fired a ball in to Niall Burns, who narrowly missed by lashing the ball to the left of the post. Confidence was growing and Dylan Cowan and Nathan Liggett worked extremely well down the left during the first half. Unfortunately, Antrim scored a quick break away goal. Their attack cut through the midfield to leave Banbridge stunned and 2-1 behind.

The Banbridge team came out in the second half determined to keep fighting to get something out of the game. The formation was tweaked so that the midfield would gain more control with Jordan Oliver dropping into midfield.

The other major changes were Gary Dean slotting in to central defence and Nigel Allister coming on to play left back for his Bann debut.

The midfield did begin to stamp it’s authority more on the game, only for the Antrim defence to nullify their attack. Matthew Graham produced some magic down the right side leaving the Antrim players mesmerised.

The team pushed more and more forward, only for Antrim to score on the counter attack. David Morrison and Gary Dean made quite a few clearances in the D to keep the scoreline down.

In the dying moments, Antrim scored again to make it 4-1 to the away side.

The team would like to thank Robbie Scott for umpiring the game.

BANN FOURS: Crawford, Allister, Martin, A Liggett, Morrison, N Ligget, Cowan, Campbell, Clarke, Burns, Oliver.

Subs: Young, Dean, Graham, Jackson.