Garvey lose out in competitive match away to Banbridge

Two players made a massive difference to the game; the absence of Mark Raphael in the engine room for Garvey and the presence of Eugene Magee, back in the Banbridge team. Although the midfield worked very hard and gave Garvey an early advantage, gradually the increasing influence of Magee swung the odds in Banbridge’s favour.

Banbridge survived an early Garvey surge and in the 9th minute opened the scoring. Slack defending allowed Hugh McShane to run 40 yards before beating Garvey keeper John Tormey with a well placed shot.

Tormey was now the busier of the two goalkeepers when he had to make another fine block from Frazer Mills in the 25th minute but two minutes later Timmy Cockram had Garvey’s best chance to equalise but he screwed his shot past the left hand post.

A set piece in the 39th minute brought the second and vital goal for Banbridge. Eugene Magee moved the ball to the right hand post and Josh Moffatt eased the ball over the line.

In the 42nd minute Peter MacDonnell gave Garvey a lifeline. A good run down the right involving Daniel Buser and MacDonnell led to a close range shot passing keeper Lennox at his left hand post and there was all to play for in the final quarter of a rapidly tightening encounter.

The last 10 minutes of an enthralling game saw Garvey push hard for the crucial equaliser. The 68th minute brought controversy as Garvey appeared to score a second goal after a scramble in the Banbridge goal mouth but the umpire deemed that Timmy Cockram had somehow infringed during the action. The result of this match could prove vital with Garvey now having to defeat their old rivals in the return meeting on December 21 at Comber Road.