Good result for Seconds ahead of trip to Armagh

With Randalstown sitting one from bottom in the league and Bann fighting for promotion, this was a game that the Banbridge side could win and they didn’t disappoint.

Banbridge dominated the game from the start and Randalstown struggled to close down Bann as the home side moved the ball well all over the pitch. Robyn Turkington, Rosie Waddell and Jayne Graham combined well on the right and put some good balls into the circle which Amy Gray and Sara Rankin were unlucky not to convert.

Banbridge pressurised the Randalstown defence and were awarded a penalty corner early in the game. The Randalstown ‘keeper did well to save a Diane Madeley shot however Robyn Turkington was on hand to score from the rebound to give Bann an early lead.

As Randalstown tried to counter attack, their play was broken down time after time by the strong Banbridge defence. The Bann play continued to improve with some good passing between the midfield and Jo-Anne Lyttle making some good runs through from centre back to create more opportunities up front.

With Banbridge dominating the play, it wasn’t long before Amy Gray scored Bann’s second goal after some good work in the circle. Randalstown continued to struggle to get the ball out of their 25 against a well positioned Banbridge press.

Just before half time Kate Cunningham played a long ball through to Jayne Graham who picked it up on the edge of the circle, moved it inside and fired it into the back of the net to take Bann 3-0 up.

The second half saw Randalstown having more opportunities. The back four were called upon more and early in the second half Randalstown broke through and scored.

This seemed to lift the Town girls and soon after they caught Bann off guard again and scored a second goal to bring the scoreline back to 3-2.

The Banbridge team found their previous form again and returned to attacking the Randalstown defence. Player of the match Amy Gray made some lovely moves down the left wing and worked well with Cathy Rees to create opportunities. Amy got her second goal of the game when she was well positioned on the left post to finish off a Sara Rankin shot on goal.

Banbridge continued to fight for further goals and towards the end of the game were awarded a penalty corner. Diane Madeley received the ball, pushed to Kate Cunningham who fired it into the net to take Bann’s goal tally to five.

This was a good result for the local girls and an important three points to keep the chances of promotion alive. This week the Seconds travel to Armagh to play their penultimate league match of the season.

Thanks to Julie Craig for umpiring and to Junior Burns for sponsoring the match ball.