Fourths take honours at Havelock against Garvey

Banbridge Fourths 2

Lisnagarvey Thirds 1

LAST Friday saw Bann in the night time slot at Havelock Park in the first of two successive games against Garvey Thirds.

This first clash was a league fixture while both sides have been paired together in the first round of the McClements Cup at Hillsborough next week. The locals were hoping to complete a league double over Garvey having won 4-2 in an earlier league game at Hillsborough.

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Bann were at full strength with the injured Peter Brown the only absentee from their squad. Garvey were sitting in mid table but had proved to be a hard nut to crack and more of the same was expected.

Both sides contained a healthy mix of youth and experience and a fast open game was predicted on a cool crisp night. Bann knew a win was vital to maintain their challenge at the top of Corporate Coaching Junior League Two.

The locals set off in determined fashion but found a well organised Garvey defence difficult to break down. The visitors weathered Bann's early pressure and began to test the home defence but were unable to find a way through thanks to some classy defending by schoolboys Ben Wilson and Michael Duggan.

Play swung from end to end but the final telling pass eluded both teams and as such neither keeper saw much action.

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Bann had a gilt edged chance to take the lead after 20 minutes but Robin Madeley fired just inches wide form his side's first short corner. Michael Anderson then had to be alert to deny a Garvey forward's snap shot.

Bann held the upper hand but failed to turn this advantage into clearcut goalscoring opportunities. The visitors continued to show that they posed a real threat on the break.

The first half ended scoreless and both sides knew that they game was there to be won. Bann upped their play and took control of the game and they managed to find the breakthrough with 20 minutes left on the clock when Chris McGladdery popped up at the back post to sweep home a left wing cross.

This lifted Bann and they could have extended their lead but failed to capitalise on several occasions when well placed.

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Just as it seemed that Bann were going to hold on for the three points they were hit by a Garvey equaliser. Bann failed to cut out a right wing cross and the Garvey centre forward despatched the past the stranded Anderson with only five minutes left on the clock. Bann however are made of sterner stuff and showed their title credentials by not panicking and clinically went about regaining the lead.

With only two minutes left Simon Jess cracked home a shot from the right hand side of the circle following a left wing passing combination to send the hardy Bann faithful wild.

Bann comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to record a fine win in a sporting game between two well matched sides. Garvey have a chance for immediate revenge next week but Bann will be determined to put together a good cup run.

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