Seconds denied by last ditch decision as Junior League form dips
Beacons army dropped points for only the second time this season as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Instonians in Belfast.
Banbridge Seconds travelled down to Shawsbridge to take on Instonians Seconds who were only a few positions below Banbridge in the league table. Buoyed with the Irish Junior cup victory against UCD Banbridge started the game well, probing the Instonians defence. Instonians played their way into the game and took the lead following second phase play at a short corner. The instonians player found himself in space on the right hand side of the circle and riffled the ball past the helpless Appleton. The goal spurred Banbridge into life and it wasn’t long until they equalised. After good work down the right hand side of the pitch McCandless found himself in the circle and his shot has deflected home by McShane. Instonians were unlucky not to go back into the lead from a short corner but Anderson managed to somehow clear the ball off the line to safety. Banbridge had severally good chances to take the lead and eventually managed to convert one when David McCracken picked the ball up just inside the circle and finished well on his reverse stick.
Banbridge started the second half well and created several excellent chances however were unable to increase their lead due to an inspired performance from the Instonians keeper and a lack of composure in the circle. Banbridge’s failure came back to haunt them when Instonians equalised with five minutes to play through a controversial goal. A free hit was awarded to Instonians just outside the Banbridge circle and the Instonians player only moved the ball a yard before hitting the ball directly into the circle where an Instonians attacked deflected the ball past Appleton at the back post. Banbridge players looked to the umpire to award a free hit as the ball hadn’t moved the required five yards, but the umpire awarded the goal. After a few choice words between Appleton and the umpire Appleton was shown his marching orders. Simon Jess had to kit up for the remainig five minutes, where Banbridge managed to win another short corner but failed to hit the target. Although Banbridge were disappointed to concede the controversial equaliser they had more than enough chances to win the game by a clear margin and will need to improve for the following weeks return fixture against Instonians.