Seconds defeat UCD to set up derby clash with neighbours Newry
The Seconds travelled down to Dublin to take on University College Dublin in the first round of the Junior Irish Cup, with the memory of losing the final of the same competition the previous season.
UCD II’s 3 – Banbridge II’s 6 (Magowan 3, McCandless 1, Jess 1 and McAnulty 1)
The Seconds travelled down to Dublin to take on University College Dublin in the first round of the Irish Junior Cup, with the memory of losing the final of the same competition the previous season. The game started at a frantic pace but with few clear cut chances. Banbridge started to take control of the game towards the middle period of the first half and were unlucky not to take the lead when MacAunlty crashed a shot from an acute angle off the post. It wasn’t long until Banbridge took the lead after good play from Caruth found Magowan in space to fire the ball home. Banbridge were now in the ascendency and the wiley McCandless doubled the lead when he found himself at the penalty spot to push the past the helpless UCD keeper.
UCD came back into the match after the start of the second half and were awarded a penalty stroke after Sturgeon made a forceful tackle in the circle. Appleton had little chance as the penalty was converted high into the net. Banbridge regained control after the penalty conversion and extended their lead to three clear goals with a quick double from Magowan. UCD scored a second from a well take drag flick before Jess regained the three goal advantage with a well directed shot into the bottom corner of the UCD. UCD were still full of running and managed to find a further goal after a long ball was collected wide on the left by the UCD forward who broke into the circle to fire past Appleton. The best goal of the game came late on with a good transition of play from the right of the pitch to left which eventually found its way to McAnulty who riffled the ball into the bottom corner. The game was brought to premature end when the lights were switched off with a minute still to play but with the result not in question the umpire blew for full time.
2nd XI in Junior Cup and captain Douglas Andersons thoughts on the game.
After the success of the Junior cup win over UCD away in Dublin the Seconds will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run with a tricky away fixture against Instonians. In fact the seconds will be playing Instonians in back to back fixtures over the next two weeks for their final two fixtures in 2011. Instonians always provide tough opposition as they have been well coached and play an extremley structured game, however with the mixture of youth and experience the Seconds would be aiming to come out on top especially with the good form of Rory Woods and the return of the reliable Simon Magowan.