Bann Thirds are hit for six by Inst

Banbridge Thirds, sponsored by Edina, faced top of the league Instonians Seconds on Saturday at Havelock knowing they were in for a tough encounter.

And so it turned out, as they were beaten 6-3.

Bann were buoyed by the return of William Malcolmson from injury and Mark McCoy also came into the panel.

Inst showed their intent from the start of the game pressing Bann high up the pitch with Bann failing to get control of the game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Inst pressure paid off when their forward eliminated a couple of Bann defenders before firing through Roleston in Bann’s goal on his reverse.

Conceding the goal spurred Bann into action and McConnell and Kennedy started to find Magowan and Dean upfront.

Bann won a couple of short corners and from the second corner Magowan reacted first to flick home a rebound.

Inst responded instantly with the same forward firing in on his reverse into the bottom corner of the Bann goal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Inst continued to apply the pressure and were controlling the midfield battle.

Towards the end of the first half Inst increased their lead with their inform striker again scoring on his reverse giving Roleston no chance.

Bann fought back into the game and managed to score after some great attacking play through Ligget to reduce the Inst lead to one goal going into the second half.

Bann got off to the worst possible start in the second half when an early Inst attack led to a goal after a reverse stick shot was deflected into the Bann goal by the unlucky Green.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bann started to play some good hockey with Barlow having a lot of success down the left hand side of the pitch.

Dean and Magowan were looking dangerous on the attack and after a quick counter attack the ball landed to Young who pushed the ball into the bottom corner of the Inst goal.

Bann were pushing forward on every occasion now and were caught at the back when a crash ball was deflected past Roleston.

Roleston pulled off a couple of great saves but could do nothing about Inst’s final goal when their striker scored from close range to give Inst their sixth goal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Inst were the worthy winners but Bann will be disappointed not to have shown the same form from the previous week.

Bann now entertain Cookstown on Saturday in the league hoping to get back to winning ways.