Convincing victory for Bann against Ballymartin

Ballymartin 1-08

CLANN na Banna hosted league leaders Ballymartin at Cottage Park and emerged convincing winners after an exciting and keenly contested game.

Following their defeat to Saval the previous week it was important that Banbridge made a bright start and they did just that with John Murphy and Liam Devlin winning the early midfield exchanges.

Rory Hill was also proving a handful for the Ballymartin defence and successive fouls on him allowed Ruairi Gillen and Brian Donaghy to post an early lead from free kicks.

With some excellent football by both teams it was no surprise when Ballymartin were soon level. A misplaced pass allowed Ciaran O’Hare to open their account from play and Ryan O’Hare added a second from a free kick.

A weak shot to the Ballymartin keeper allowed him to start a move which ended with midfielder Higgins pointing from play, but further points from Gillen and Devlin edged Bann in front again.

Although Ciaran O’Hare scored another point for Ballymartin from a free Bann’s defence was generally on top with Magee Fairbairn and Lunny all outstanding.

Banbridge took a decisive lead after a patient build up on the right involving Smyth Hill Gillen and Devlin put Murphy through for a well taken goal and further points from Donaghy and Murphy increased the margin to five points.

It should have been more but Bann were denied a penalty when McArdle was brought down with only the keeper to beat.

Ballymartin needed a good start to the second half and scored first through Ryan O’Hare. However Banbridge were soon dominant again and McArdle was becoming more involved on the right.

Gillen pointed from a free when McArdle was fouled and then a brilliant move started on the left by Murphy allowed Gillen to cross for the incoming Hill to fist to the net for Bann’s second goal.

Ballymartin tried hard to get a foothold in the game but Magee, Downey and Nelson continued to defend well for the home team. Conor McCusker pointed from play and Donaghy pointed a free which increased Bann’s lead to 10 points.

Ballymartin continued to contest every ball and they were given a lifeline when awarded a penalty 10 minutes from the end. Unfortunately for them Doyle blasted the spot kick over the bar and although they managed to add another point from a free they were unable to contain the Bann forwards.

Playing some of their best football of the season Banbridge scored three more points through Gillen, Hill and the industrious McAlinden.

Ballymartin were unable to break through a sound Bann defence with great fielding by Downey and Lunny denying them scoring opportunities. When called into action McAllister was solid in goal and his long, accurate kicking was a platform for much of Bann’s attacking play.

Substitute Doran managed to score a point for the visitors which was matched at the other end by a long range effort by Paddy McCambridge. In the dying seconds Ballymartin scored a consolation goal when O’Hare blasted a 13 metre free to the net.

Team: M McAllister, M Fairbairn, A Downey, A Nelson; C Lunny, M Magee, B Donaghy; L Devlin, J Murphy; M Smyth, D McAlinden, S McArdle; R Hill, R Gillen, C McCusker. Subs: J Burns, P Bradley, M Loughlin, P McCambridge, G Quinn, L McCrum, L Rooney, C Quinn, G McGrath, B Nelson, M Mallon, D Brooker, D Lennon, R Gartland.