Buchanan comes to the rescue

Ballinamallard 0

BANBRIDGE Town scored their first win of the Ladbrokes.com Championship 1 on Saturday.

And they had goalkeeper, Gareth Buchanan to thank for ensuring that they came away from the game with all three points.

He made two excellent point blank saves to deny the Fermanagh side from grabbing an equaliser.

The Mallards nearly opened the scoring on seven minutes, Andy Crawford firing a shot at goal after collecting a Crilly ball which the keeper parried with Teague nearly putting in the rebound.

Ballinamallard had a penalty appeal turned down on 17 minutes when Chris Curran was taken down in the box whilst Crawford and Maguire both had great opportunities to break the deadlock.

The only goal of the game came on 24 minutes when Mark Teggart lobbed advancing goalkeeper Quinn, leaving him in no-man’s land and well beaten.

Mark McConkey came to the rescue on 38 minutes, clearing the ball off the line after Dale Malone had beaten the keeper.

There were further efforts for McManus and Stafford whilst Stafford had a goal chalked off for a foul on the keeper just before half time.

Ballinamallard came close to equalising three minutes after the break when Teague created a superb chance for himself which was brilliantly saved and Crawford’s follow up was blocked by Buchanan.

And right at the death Buchanan came to the rescue again, blocking another Crawford effort.

Due to the return of the Co-operative Insurance Cup and Banbridge Town having a bye into round two the Town have arranged a friendly with Killymoon Rangers this Saturday, kick off 2.30pm at Crystal Park.