Chambers steals a point for Banbridge Rangers

Banbridge Rangers 1

BANBRIDGE Rangers came away from the Lurgan Arena last Tuesday feeling that they had gained a point rather than dropped two.

It took a thunderous half volley from Chris Chambers to level the scores for Rangers with only 90 seconds left on the clock.

Preparations for the match were limited by the early kick off and the away side started the game slowly with Lurgan dictating the pace of the match.

In a half of few clear cut chances it was Lurgan Town who opened the scoring with 25 minutes on the clock taking advantage of slack marking at a free kick which was headed in comfortably under little pressure from a marker.

The first half continued to be frustrating for Banbridge Rangers who were succumbed by Lurgan's attempts to disrupt the flow of the game. The half fizzled out with Lurgan having another set pice chance to double their lead but it ended 1-0 at the break.

Last season's fifth placed team set out their stall again for the second half knowing that at some stage Banbridge Rangers would put the pressure on. Scott Ward's driving runs from midfield were a constant threat to Lurgan in the second half with Fulton and Gourley having to drop off in search of opportunities.

A quick free kick 15 minutes into the half was met by a Lurgan midfielder five yards out with Ivon Blevins pulling off a magnificent save to keep Rangers in the game.

Banbridge Rangers became more dominant with the introduction of Richie McMinn in the centre followed by James Beck on the right and John McCahon on the left. After only a few minutes on the pitch Beck found himself sent off after reacting to a challenge leaving Rangers with an uphill task.

At 10 men the away side continued to threaten Lurgan Town's goal but were always liable to be hit on the break with the back three of Clarke, Chambers and Porter being stretched.

Both sides had several chances in the last 10 minutes with Banbridge Rangers gaining a few corners in search of an equaliser.

With less than two minutes remaining a cleared corner was controlled on the edge of the box by Chris Chambers who drilled home on the half volley through a crowd of players to give Rangers an unlikely equaliser.

In stoppage time Banbridge Rangers went for the winner but were almost caught out only to be saved by the crossbar late on.

Banbridge Rangers came away from the match having gained four points from the initial two league games. Next up is Broomhedge in the league on Tuesday 24th before travelling to Cookstown on Saturday to play Cookstown Olympic in the first round of the Bob Radcliffe Cup.