Ten in a row for Rangers Reserves

Banbridge Rangers Reserves 2

ON Saturday past Banbridge Rangers Reserves took the short trip to Gordon Playing Fields to take on Lurgan United Reserves in a league match.

With the last encounter between the two sides finishing 2-1 to Banbridge knew they were going to be in for another tight game.

With confidence high in the Rangers camp after last week’s local derby win over Moneyslane it was no surprise they started the brightest as Thompson sent Wilson one on one with the Lurgan keeper only for the keeper to come out on top this time with a fine save.

Banbridge Rangers were moving the ball about well through midfield with Monteith and Buchanan getting the better of their markers in the opening spells off the game and being able to pick out Wilkinson and Wilson on the flanks with ease.

It wasn’t long before the opening goal off the game came after good work from Wilkinson on the left flank saw rangers captain Colin Harper break the offside trap and smash the ball past the Lurgan goalkeeper to put Rangers 1-0 up.

With the Banbridge outfit now well in control of the game it wasn’t long before they carved out another chance when John Thompson played a one-two with Neil Wilson only for Thompson’s goal bound effort to be cleared off the line from the Lurgan defender who did well to get back just in time.

Midway through the first half Rangers found themselves a little hard done by as Wilson had a goal ruled out for offside when he seemed to be played on by the Lurgan right back with the away side using this as a catalyst for an quick break that ended with their right winger slot the ball under McCune in the Rangers goal from a tight angle. The half drew out with both sides being forced to shots from distance as two well marshalled defences weren’t giving the attackers any opportunities at goal.

After the break Banbridge Rangers again come out off the blocks quickest and had another effort on goal as Thompson raced onto a through ball from Dan Thornton. James Monteith also saw an effort beat the keeper after a great run but Lurgan got a man back to clear the ball off the line.

The Rangers defence of Adamson, Rodgers, Harper and Cochrane were defending very well and were standing up to the Lurgan attacks and not giving the front men a look in at goal.

Midway through the second half Banbridge Rangers were awarded a free kick in a dangerous area, the well worked free kick between Aaron Buchanan and Neville Cochrane caught the Lurgan defence napping as Cochrane picked out Thompson in the box who’s diving header just missed the target.

The Banbridge side’s fitness started showing as the game was drawing to a close as they were seeing a lot more off the ball all over the pitch and it was no surprise when with ten minutes left to play Rangers went 2-1 up when Adamson picked out Thornton who in return found John Thompson who had the trickery and pace to beat the last man and slot the ball under the advancing goalkeeper to give the Banbridge side all three points in a very tight game.

This win is Rangers Reserves’ tenth straight win in the league this season a run that has seen them take second place in their division. Man off the match for Banbridge Rangers was captain Colin Harper who defended well and got an important goal for his team.

Next week sees Rangers Reserves take on third placed Ambassadors in a league match with kick off scheduled for 2.15pm at the Tech pitch. This is building up to be one off the biggest games of the season for the Banbridge side and a positive result would put them well into the driving seat for a promotion place.