No place like home for the Fourths

Harlequins Seconds 1

LAST Friday night saw Bann return to their Havelock Park base to entertain Harlequins Seconds after three weeks on the road.

Bann were hoping to secure the three points on offer to maintain their challenge at the top of Junior League Two. It was now developing into a three horse race with Bann battling with Kilkeel and Mossley for the top spot as the league programme enters the final six games.

The visitors have struggled to field a regular side this season but Bann would have been aware of their recent demolition of Garvey a few weeks ago and as such could not afford to take any chances.

Bann welcomed back ace marksman Dale Pollock to their squad after his absence last week but both Alan Day and Peter Brown were ruled out due to injury.

On a wintery night which was to get even more wintery, Bann started off in determined fashion and as has been their recent trend they scored in the opening five minutes. Captain Robin Madeley continued his goalscoring form when he expertly converted his side's first short corner.

Quins retaliated 10 minutes later when a poor defensive clearance was not dealt with by the Bann defence and the ball was scrambled past Mooney in the Bann goal to level the scores.

This sparked Bann into action again and it came as no surprise when Robin Madeley put his side again with a strong shot from another Bann corner after 20 minutes. Both sides then went through a phase of not being able to find the telling pass as they wasted several promising opportunities when well placed. As the snow began to fall both sides aided by the umpires deserved credit for continuing to play open fast flowing hockey.

Bann continued to hold the upper hand and Thomas Sturgeon picked up a fine through ball from the livewire McGladdery to slot home his first goal for the Fourths after 25 minutes.

Just before half time Dale Pollock eventually found the net after several near misses with a neat finish from mid-circle. The half ended with the snow still falling but the pitch still allowing hockey to be played albeit with an orange ball!

The locals dominated the opening 15 minutes of the second half through their hard working midfield trio of Joe McKnight, Robin Madeley, and Simon Jess. They set up Dale Pollock to effectively put the game out of reach of the Belfast side when he finished well on the reverse.

Jess then added number six with a neat finish at the back post following some good build up play.

Dale Pollock then added a seventh five minutes from the end when he picked up a Robin Madeley pass and slotted the ball past the stranded keeper.

All in all a comfortable victory for Bann with some good performances but they will be fully aware of a need for improvements In some areas as they prepare for their remaining fixtures which include trips to Mossley and Kilkeel.