So near but yet so far for frustrated Banbridge AFC

Having played without any fear, the Boys Club found themselves 2-0 up going in at the break and in good shape to pick up a victory at last.

The first goal was a superb 21-yard piledriver from the in-form Neil McCullough, who cut in from the right-wing and unleashed a shot of the highest quality, leaving Richill’s goalkeeper with absolutely no chance.

Paul McGuiness also got in on the act, chasing down every loose ball. When played in one on one against the Richill keeper, he pulled his shot wide. On the half-hour mark he made no mistake though, neatly finishing when put through on goal again.

Manager Chris Beattie would have wanted the same in the second half to secure the points. Richill, however, weren’t reading the script.

On 56 minutes, a well blocked shot rebounded to Richill’s winger, who scuffed his cross but as luck would have it, it fell to the on-rushing striker whose mis-hit shot rolled into the corner of the net. Game on.

Richill threw everything at AFC, who gradually fell deeper and deeper. A heart-breaking equaliser came with 10 minutes left and it was a well worked goal, finished with a back-post header.

Sadly for AFC, they couldn’t hold on for a draw either. Richill’s centre forward broke through with a minute left, but was pulled back. The resulting free-kick was superbly bent round the wall and nestled in the corner. All three points then went to the home side. So near yet so far for AFC.