Nadene to the four as Bann 2s thrash Garvey in promotion push

Nadene Black was the goal-scoring hero as she netted four while Sarah Anderson added the fifth goal to rub salt into their opponents’ wounds.

Lisnagarvey had proved tough opponents for Banbridge last season and currently sitting only one point ahead of Bann going into the game, this was a great opportunity for the Havelock girls to get into the top two.

The first half was relatively uneventful with Banbridge looking only slightly more threatening on the attack. It looked like the first team to score would walk away with a 1-0 victory with chances at a premium.

Banbridge’s defence lined up in a slightly different formation this week with Kate Cunningham and Jo-Anne Lyttle calmly and skillfully controlling the centre while Helen Sawyers stepped into right back and call up Aileen Lawson had a superb game in left back.

Alannah Magee controlled the centre of the pitch and made some great connective play with mids Vikki Berry and Megan Whan. Melissa Whan and Ashleigh Mitchell ran tirelessly up front to create space in the forward line although at half-time it remained scoreless.

As the conditions deteriorated, Banbridge took hold of the game and started to carve through the Garvey defence, continually pressurising the goal until player of the match Nadene Black fired home her first of the game from an impossible angle.

Over the remaining 20 minutes, Nadene scored another three superb goals, two from open play and one from a well constructed short corner. Sarah Anderson added her name to the score-sheet with a reverse stick effort after picking up a well placed cross from Elayne Brown.

As the skies cleared and the final whistle blew, the Banbridge girls propelled themselves into second place in the league, hot on the heels of league-leaders Ards. Many thanks to coach Robin Madeley and to umpire Dave Morrison.