Ports on top in friendly

Portadown 4

COLIN Malone’s Banbridge Town faced Carling Premiership side Portadown in a friendly game at Cheney Park last Tuesday evening.

The Town haven’t played a game since December 19 while the Ports have only had one game in this period.

It took just nine minutes of play to start the scoring. Town striker Dale Malone caught Portadown right-back Ryan McCluskey out of position, he ran into space before squaring the ball across the penalty box for Timmy Grant to put his left foot shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.

The Ports equalised on 15 minutes, Tim Mouncey playing a short pass into the feet of Neil Teggart on the edge of the penalty box with his back to goal. Teggart turned past Town defender Neil King and slotted home to equalise.

Four minutes later Ronnie McFall’s team took the lead. Kevin Braniff’s right side corner was knocked goalwards by Teggart. Banbridge goalkeeper David Wilton pushed the ball onto the crossbar only for it to drop into the net.

The game was again levelled on 23 minutes through Mark Whilta’s diving header as he ran from deep to meet Grant’s left side cross.

The first half drew to a close with the scoreline at 2-2. The game was flowing quickly with some nice passing football being played. Banbridge had their fair share of chances to even be in the lead at this stage including a close offside call on Whilta, a Malone free-kick which Neil Armstrong turned wide for a corner and a penalty shout which wasn’t given.

Both managers made numerous changes at the half which disrupted the flow of the game and left it somewhat disjointed. The Town lost much of their shape and organisation with the changes.

Some of the changes which were made included the appearance of young Portadown defender Chris Coleman who played the second half of the game for Banbridge with a view to joining on a loan agreement. A few of the players who started the game for Banbridge but were replaced at half-time came back on later in the game.

Portadown took the lead again with 18 minutes of the second half played, McCluskey pushed up the right hand side before playing the ball across to Neil Teggart to tap in for his third of the game.

Portadown definitely had the better of the second half chances, Mouncey coming from deep to head narrowly wide from a cross, Braniff going close with an individual effort and Aaron Haire effort which was saved one handed after he had ran clear through the Town defence.

With 33 minutes of the second half gone Ports substitute Chris Curran made a blistering run down the right hand side before hitting a shot across Wilton in the Town goal into the opposite bottom corner.

Banbridge had a late chance, with good work between Paul Walsh and Simon Robb leading to Robb hitting a left foot drive which Armstrong saved well at his near post.

The game was a very worthwhile exercise for both sides, with the players clearly glad to be playing some football again. Banbridge were by no means belittled by the Carling Premiership side.

Town Chairman, Andrew Cully wished to thank the officials who took charge of the game despite the game being arranged at late notice.

Banbridge Town: Wilton, Hall, King, McPartland, Brady, M Teggart, McCartan, Grant, Walsh, Whitla, Malone. Subs: McBurney, McGerrigan, Robb, Barton, Mateer, Coleman.

Portadown: Armstrong, McCluskey, Hunter, O’Hara, Redman, Mouncey, Clarke, Braniff, A Teggart, Lecky, N Teggart. Subs: Topley, Mackle, Curran, Haire, Convery.

- A Timmy Grant equaliser just before half time wasn't enough to spur Town on and win their Saturday morning friendly game on the 3G surface at Cheney Park.

Queens went on to score two second half goals and win the game 3-1.

The students took the lead on 17 minutes and scored twice in four minutes (56th and 60th) to inflict defeat upon Colly Malone's team.

Nevertheless, result aside, this was a good run out for the team who have been suffering a lack of competitive matches recently due to the weather and early exits from the Irish and Intermediate Cups.