Late Dowds goal gives Bann IHL win

Instonians 0

FOLLOWING the somewhat controversial postponement of this fixture on Saturday evening, the 2.30pm start on Sunday at Banbridge provided an exciting encounter between two evenly matched sides.

Early threats from Instonians were capably snuffed out by the sound defending of Stephen Forbes and Bann almost took an early lead when Stephen Dowds flashed a great reverse cross into the Instonians circle only to see no forward on hand to apply the finishing touch.

Bann were unable to take any real command of the game and in the 10th minute Irwin almost broke the deadlock when he flashed a shot wide. The first quarter finished with Inst as the stronger side.

The second quarter saw Philip Brown and Bruce McCandless combine well to provide Ward with a great chance but he was unable to force the ball over the line and Inst scrambled clear.

The first short corner of the game was awarded to Bann in the 29th minute, following good work by the influential Stephen Dowds who was to play an increasingly significant part as the game progressed.

Ross McCandless’s drag flick cleared the cross bar and moments later Ward missed a glorious opportunity to give Bann the lead when he was unable to capitalise on a great ball again from Stephen Dowds. Bann finished the first half the stronger side.

TELLING

The second half began with Lennox being called into early action to deal with a strong shot from Robinson on the right and shortly after McGowan found himself free in the opposing circle but was unable to find a telling shot.

Industrious play from Carlisle resulted in Bann’s second short corner which was capably dealt with by Skillen. As the game ebbed and flowed Inst’s first short corner of the game was well blocked by Colin Dowds, resulting in a further corner which was cleared by Bann’s defence.

As the game opened up Stephen Dowd’s purposeful and direct play posed a continuous threat but the experienced Brown marshalled a stubborn Inst defence which gave little away as the third quarter finished in deadlock.

Inst began the last quarter threateningly but were unable to find a telling touch in the circle. Bann almost broke the deadlock with a great ball from Philip Brown on the right saw Moffet’s powerful deflection hit the cross bar to deny Bann the goal they certainly deserved.

Moments later, however, they were rewarded when Niall Kelly released Stephen Dowds whose clinical finish gave Bann the lead to set up an exciting final 10 minutes.

Dane Ward almost killed the game off when Bruce McCandless again provided him with a deft ball at the top of the circle which Ward deflected narrowly wide.

A resolute Bann defence nullified Inst’s final efforts and Bann emerged as deserved winners of a closely fought contest.