Town fail to impress in opener with the Welders

Harland and Wolff Welders 3

THEY had an impressive pre-season campaign, they’ve been busy in the transfer market and they’ve been working to improve on last season’s poor finish to their Championship campaign.

But when Banbridge Town stepped onto the pitch for their opening game of the season on Saturday they were unable to overcome newly promoted Harland and Wolff Welders at Crystal Park.

The Town failed to impress on the first day of the new term as the new boys fully deserved their win.

Early on it was evident that things weren’t going to go their way. Welders striker Ryan Harvey dispatched their first goal from the penalty spot after Dee McParland had handballed.

Thirty-five minutes in it was 2-0 to the visitors when a rifled 20-yard volley into the top corner by Aaron Johnston doubled their lead.

Four minutes into the second half the Town thought they had found a way back into the game when new boy Stefan Campbell had been brought down inside the box. Dale Malone was given the honour of slotting the ball home and he duely did his job.

They could have been level 15 minutes from the end when Malone fired a free kick off the crossbar with former Glentoran goalkeeper Michael Dougherty well beaten.

But it was the Welders who would go on to win. They could have reinstated their two goal lead when a David Irvine shot came back off the post.

They had to wait until the last minute to secure the points, however, when Marty Verner – formerly of Glenavon and Bangor – slotted home.

Next week Banbridge Town play Ballinamallard. The game was due to be played at Ferney Park however due to redevelopment work at the Fermanagh ground the game has been switched to Crystal Park with a 3pm kick off.

Meanwhile the Town have been handed a tough draw in the first round of the Bob Radcliffe Cup as the club looks to reach yet another Boxing Day final.

And they will face a tough game against Mid Ulster Intermediate A side Dollingstown when the game takes place at Crystal Park on Saturday August 28.

Full draw: Hanover v Annagh United; Broomhill v Dungannon Swifts Res; Oxford United v Richhill; Glenavon Res v Armagh City; Seapatrick v Loughgall; Tandragee Rovers v Dromore Amateurs; Rathfrilland Rangers v Blackersmill; Bourneview YM v AFC Craigavon; Cookstown Olympic v Banbridge Rangers; Laurelvale v Lisanally Rangers; Banbridge Town v Dollingstown; Newry City Res v Markethill Swifts; Lurgan Town v Banbridge AFC; Lurgan Celtic v Seagoe.

Team: Buchanan, Hall, King, Copeland, Brady, Teggart, McParland, McAnearney (Anderson), Grant (McConnell), Campbell (Clydesdale), Malone