Bann overcome tricky game at Kilkeel

Banbridge 4

BANN completed their league campaign with a tricky league game in the Mournes against Kilkeel.

The locals took the opportunity to rest a number of players and it didn’t seem to affect the rhyme to much as Bann took early control of possession forcing the host to defend deep for long periods of the first quarter.

Gradually Kilkeel grew into the game with their counter attacking style but just as that happened Bann took the lead in the 16th minute. Ross McCandless had been stuck on 39th goals for a couple of games but not for first time this season he rocketed his first flick into the top left corner.

Bann continued to have the majority of possession but their next goal came from a counter attack as Kilkeel pushed forward Bann won possession in their own 25, Owen Magee set off down the right before releasing Bruce McCandless, who quick found Simon Magowan on the baseline. He confidently found Dane Ward and the ace predator scored from the flick spot.

Bann got slightly sloppy towards the end of the half giving away cheap possession, Kilkeel won several penalty corners and from a second phase they reduced Banns advantage to one. Half time arrived with Bann leading 2-1.

Bann started the second period very quickly with the Kilkeel goalkeeper forced into several early saves from Dane Ward, Colin Dowds and Bruce McCandless.

However it was Kilkeel who equalised in bizarre circumstances a long ball was put into the circle, the Bann defence confidently let it through to what they thought, would roll harmlessly into the net, however a kilkeel touch just inside the circle meant the goal stood.

Bann had to refocus as got back to controlling possession and with 25 minutes remaining they got the perfect opportunity as they were awarded a penalty stroke but Ross McCandless, who normally is quite reliable from the spot, mistimed his effort and it was saved by the home keeper.

Bann weren’t to be denied though minutes later as a mistake in the home defence let Simon Magowan escape and he finished well to give Bann the lead again.

They continued to hold the majority of possession and were always aware of the threat carried by Kilkeel on the counter but with 10 minutes to go Coiln Dowds won another corner and Ross McCandless dually restored the two goal advantage and the three points.

Bann: Lennox, St Forbes, Sc Forbes, R McCandless, D Carlisle, B McCandless, H McShane, D Reay, S Dowds, D Ward, C Dowds. Subs O Magee, P Doyle, S Magowan, S McCandless.