Ladies 1s move to top of the table.
It was another good weekend for Banbridge Senior Teams. Banbridge Ladies 1sts moved to the top table after a comfortable win over Derg Valley. Bann took an early league when Rachel Cairns converted a penalty flick but this was soon cancelled out with an own goal when a crash ball played into the ‘D’ was unluckily deflected into the net. Just before the half time Bann regained their composure and Naomi Robb put the local girls ahead again. The second half saw a better Bann performance and Anna Moore scored twice to consolidate the win. With Dromore losing in Carrick this result takes Bann two points clear at the top of Senior 2. With some tough games ahead the team must remain focused to retain this position.
The Men’s 1sts had seven different players on the scoresheet on Saturday when they entertained Harlequins at Havelock and won 7-1. From the start of the game, Banbridge controlled possession as Harlequins struggled to get a touch of the ball and Bann got their first goal in the 12th minute through Josh Moffet. Goals quickly followed from Stephen Forbes, Hugh McShane and Dane Ward, and Stevie Dowds made it 5-0 by half time. Bann continued to dominate in the second half however Harlequins pulled a goal back from a corner. Colin Dowds got Bann’s sixth goal and the final score of the game was put away by Fraser Mills on his home debut for Bann. The Men’s 1s remain top of the Premier League and are still unbeaten in league fixtures.
The Men’s 2s extended their top of the league position on Saturday following their win against Annadale 2s at Havelock. Ross McCandless scored 4 from short corners with Ryan Bell getting the other for Bann in their 5-1 win. The Ladies 2s playing at the Academy went out of the Intermediate Plate when they lost 1-0 to Senior 4 side Ballynahinch in a tough game that could have gone either way.
The Men’s 3s shared the points with South Antrim 3s. South Antrim started well and took an early lead and the only goal of the first half. This was extended to 3-0 in the second half however the Bann boys fought back hard and goals from Clarke Neville and Bill Malcomson brought it back to 3-2. With all to play for both teams put pressure on the respective ‘keepers but it was Bann who got the next goal and their equaliser again through Clarke Neville. Unfortunately Bann weren’t able to find the winner before the final whistle but were happy with the comeback in the second half.
The Ladies 3s and 4s and Men’s 4s did not have games last weekend.
For full details for all of the above games, check out the team pages on the BHC website and download the appropriate match reports.
Fixtures for Saturday 19th January
Mens
1s v Lisnagarvey away @ 2.30pm
2s v Cookstown 2 @ Havelock @2.30pm
3s v Annadale 3 away @ 2.30pm
4s v N. Down 4 @ Away @1.00pm
Ladies
1s v Belfast Harlequins 3s away @ 1.00pm (Qualifying Plate)
2s v Lisnagarvey 3 away @ 4.00pm
3s v Ballyclare 3 @ Havelock @ 1.00pm
4s No Game