Banbridge Rangers finally bag a win at their bogey ground

The Mills has always been a bogey ground for Banbridge Rangers, who had never recorded a win at the ground outside Lisburn before Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Lower Maze.
Banbridge Rangers three Mallen brothers who started Saturdays game against Lower Maze. From left, Stuart, Dean and Andy.Banbridge Rangers three Mallen brothers who started Saturdays game against Lower Maze. From left, Stuart, Dean and Andy.
Banbridge Rangers three Mallen brothers who started Saturdays game against Lower Maze. From left, Stuart, Dean and Andy.

Options were limited with six players unavailable through other commitments and suspensions but the away side started brightly with Andy Mallen forcing the Maze keeper into a fine stop from a free kick.

The Mallen brothers were causing problems for the Lower Maze rearguard and when Stuart Mallen rounded the keeper in the 14th minute he was unfortunate not to open the scoring as his shot from an acute angle hit the post.

The scoring was opened midway through the half when Jonny Porter flicked on a free kick into the path of Andy Mallen who rounded the keeper for a tap in.

The Gers had several good opportunities to extend the lead but were pegged back level five minutes before half-time when Lower Maze’s left winger was able to pick his spot into the far bottom corner from the edge of the box.

In the second half, the game started to slow down with only a Jonny Porter half volley going close for Rangers after an exquisite ball from Andy Mallen.

A double substitution with 30 minutes to go saw the team shape change and as a result the Gers started to create more chances. A ball up to Jason Gourley was flicked into the path of William Frazer who finished well off the inside of the post.

With 15 minutes to go, Banbridge Rangers were able to see the game out and move into third place in the Intermediate A standings with three games to go.

RANGERS: Chris Davison, Kyle Sergeant, Ryan Gregg, Christopher Chambers, Matthew McCrum (Dean Gordon 60), Jonny Porter, Dean Mallen (Jason Gourley 60), Colin Cousins (c), William Frazer, Andy Mallen (Jason Adamson 82), Stuart Mallen.

Related topics: