Rangers set up Glenavon tie 
after seeing off Tandragee

The buzz about the Town must have got the players up for the game with Ryan McIlroy hitting the crossbar less than thirty seconds into the game. The move was kept alive by Coly Cousins who then crossed for Matty McKnight and the lofty midfielder guided his header into the top corner to open the scoring.

Tandragee came close to equalising twice in the first half with a header on 16 minutes from Singleton and a shot from the edge of the box on 31 minutes rattling the bar.

Rangers threatened on the counter on several occassions and were unfortunate not to get close offside calls. On 42 minutes Davy Crawford smothered a Gerard Magee shot well and just over a minute later AJ Gallagher had an open bet tap in from 4 yards after a Greenaway low cross but Craig McVicker made the tackle of the season to deny an equaliser.

Things took a turn for the worse for Rovers nine minutes into the second half when referee Neil Robinson gave Magee a straight red card for dissent.

Within three minutes Banbridge Rangers made the extra man count with Jonny Gilchrist shifting the ball onto his left and smashing in off the crossbar from outside the area in his first goal for the club.

The noise had hardly settled from the celebrations when Tandragee missed another clear chance with right back Pedlow blasting over from six yards after his late run wasnt picked up.

On 68 minutes an exquisite diagonal ball from Chambers found the run off Gourley but his first time volley spun just past the post.

Rangers were awarded a penalty on 83 minutes when Whiteside made a rash challenge on McIlroy and the tricky winger took the resultant spot kick but keeper Gough guessed right.

In the final minute Gilchrist could have doubled his tally for the day when he broke the offside trap and curled round the onrushing keeper but his shot hit the side netting.

Banbridge Rangers now progress to the last 16 with a home tie against Glenavon Reserves on Saturday September 14 and will be a tough test.

Next up is a big away trip in the Irish Cup with a derby game at Ferris Park in Dromore vs the Amateurs with the kick off at the earlier time of 1.30pm.

BRFC Team: Davy Crawford, Jeff McClure, Ryan Gregg, Chris Chambers, Stuart Cairns, Craig McVicker, Mark Wilton (Jonny Gilchrist ‘45), Matthew McKnight (Richard McMinn ‘65), Ryan McIlroy, Jason Gourley (Andy Mallen ‘81) & Colin Cousins (c).

Subs: Stuart Thompson, Richard McMinn, Jonny Gilchrist, Andy Mallen & John McCahon.

Referee: Neil Robinson (Portadown)

Attendance: 116