Dennison strike beats the Lurgan Blues

SATURDAY saw Banbridge Juniors face Glenavon in what was a rare home match at Havelock Park.

With the pitch in excellent condition and a good home crowd to cheer on the boys the match got off to hectic start with Glenavon dominating the early play.

With Glenavon continuing to pressurise the home side, keeping them deep in their own half, they managed to secure an early lead in the 24th minute.

Glenavon tried to find the back of the Banbridge net yet again as the home side’s defence was tested to the limit however, with great perseverance and determination, they managed to thwart the onslaught with the first half ending 1-0.

Following the half time team talk and substitutions the now revitalised Banbridge boys upped the ante and came out all guns blazing, resulting in a second minute goal from Ryan Mulholland who slotted the ball low into the left corner of the Glenavon net.

The home side continued to pressurise Glenavon and dominate the midfield with excellent work from Jake Dermott who was an inspired half time substitution.

With Banbridge now in their stride and working as a perfect unit Jake Dennison laid off a fine ball which found Stevie Campbell who let loose an excellent shot only for it to go inches wide of the Glenavon goal.

With confidence now at a high Banbridge were awarded a penalty which was struck well by Jake Dermott only for the Glenavon keeper to pull off an excellent save.

The Banbridge defence with Harry Campbell in the lead, who had worked so relentlessly in the first half, were seldom troubled in the second half and coped admirable with anything Glenavon could through at them.

The hard work of the Banbridge midfield and forwards paid off in the dying minutes with a ball in from the left wing being slotted home by Jake Dennison from six yards out taking the final score to 2-1.

This week’s Banbridge man of the match is Jake Dermott for his relentless work rate and fine display of footballing skill.