Reserves get the better of United

Banbridge Rangers Reserves 2

Lurgan United Reserves 1

BANBRIDGE Rangers Reserves were to travel away on Saturday to play Lurgan Utd but after the frost the tie was switched to Cheney Park’s all weather 3G pitch.

the game was always going to be a tasty affair and with the lurgan side doing the double over Rangers last season it was the home side who had a point to prove and show how much they have progressed over this past few months.

The game got underway with both teams having half chances, Lurgan having the better of them when their centre half hit the Rangers crossbar from inside the box.

This was the wake-up call the home side needed as they started to play some good football that has taken them to third in table.

The breakthrough came soon after when good interplay between Ward, Cousins, Sterritt and Thompson saw Sterritt find Thornton in the box for the striker to control the ball and volley past the Lurgan goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

With confidence now high Rangers piled on the pressure, looking for the second goal and they came close when Cousins had a fine effort cleared off the goal line.

This game was throwing up some fine battles all over the park but the midfield battle looked to be the big test with Ward and Sterritt getting the better of their men and working hard for the team when called upon.

Rangers looked solid at the back with Rodgers and Cochrane playing well at full back and getting forward at every opportunity. Harper and Adamson in the heart of the Rangers defence were making sure Blevins in the Rangers goal had a quiet first half.

But with five minutes left in the half Lurgan were awarded a penalty .their captain stepped up and smashed the ball straight down the middle leaving Blevins no chance in the home sides goal half time 1-1

The second half got underway with Rangers again taking the game to the Lurgan side, with Robert Baird seeing more off the ball on the left flank and proving to be a real thorn in the visitors defence the tricky winger cut inside his man after being picked out by Thompson but fired just wide.

With Rangers trailing Ambassadors in the league they knew three points was a must in this game if they were to put any pressure on the teams above them. They thought it wasn’t going to be their day when Adamson and Rodgers both had efforts cleared off the Lurgan goal line.

A stunning free kick from Ward was tipped onto the post by the visitors’ keeper.

With 10 minutes left in the match both teams were now pushing for the valuable three points and the game could have went either way but luckily for Rangers their in form striker Thompson was on hand to flick home his eighth goal off the season after he made room for himself inside the Lurgan box.

This goal proved to be the winner and keeps up Rangers’ fine league form.

Man of the match for Banbridge Rangers was Scott Ward who fought for every ball and had an all round good game for the home side.

Next up for Banbridge Rangers Reserves is the return fixture against Banbridge AFC Reserves who will be looking to overturn the heavy defeat by Rangers earlier in the season. Rangers’ first team travel to Broomhedge next week for their first round Wilson Cup game.