Cowan's men get one over Seconds

Banbridge Seconds 0

Banbridge Thirds 3

LAST Wednesday night saw Lee Tumilty’s second string take on Michael Cowan’s Third XI.

This match had been called off on several occasions due to the bad frost over the winter and it was long overdue.

The seconds welcomed into their squad first eleven player Hugh McShane for a run out and the thirds were at full strength with the exception of Roger Martin who had a knee injury.

The game started off as a tight affair with both teams fired up and some crunching tackles in the early stages. Hugh McShane was making an impact in the middle of the park pulling the strings feeding the forwards at every opportunity.

The forward line of Kelly, Magee and McAnulty were finding it hard to create any clear cut chances against a stubborn thirds defence of Beck, Wheeler, Duggan and Dillon-Burns.

The Thirds lost Duggan to a head injury after 10 minutes after a raised ball struck him. The first chance of the game fell to Neil Gilmore after a great run from Gary Dean which Gilmore fired over from 10 yards.

The Seconds did manage to force a couple of short corners and top scorer Dougie Anderson could not break the deadlock with the in-form Appleton saving comfortable on a couple of occasions.

The only goal of the game arrived after 22 minutes when a long ball out from the back was intercepted by Dale Pollock who used his pace to outrun Burns and was left one on one with Mooney in goals. Mooney rushed out and Pollock coolly slipped the ball right leaving Mooney stranded and slotted home with a diving slap hit. A sublime finish from the pacey forward who has been outstanding when called upon this season to lead the forward line.

This seemed to spark the Seconds into life and had certainly raised the intensity of the game. Simon Jess and Lee Tumilty were having a great tussle in the middle of the park and possession was being dominated by the seconds. John McKee was forced into making some changes with Livingstone and Doyle introduced to provide the spark they needed to unlock the Thirds defence. Half time arrived just in time for the Thirds after constant pressure in their half.

The second half started as it was left off in the first half. As the game went on chances were few and far between. David Beck was having the game of his life at the back sweeping up and breaking down any attacking ventures into his 25.

The big defender used his aerials to relieve pressure and used his long reach to his advantage. Macko went close with a deft touch after a cross from Hutchinson and Appleton was in fine form thwarting Dougie Anderson on at least four occasions as the Seconds ran out of ideas on their short corner routine.

As the Seconds pushed forward in desperation of a goal the game livened up. Young Peter Brown didn’t look out of depth on the left hand side of midfield with the reliable Knox and energetic Smryl providing attacking runs feeding Pollock and Neil Anderson.

Pollock was causing Matthew Bell problems at the back with his pace and on two occasions found himself one on one again with Mooney. This time the keeper did well pulling off a good save and forcing Pollock wide and he ended up hitting the post with a reverse. Owen Magee and Kelly were trying to use their trickery skills to force a way through but the circle was too congested to get away any clear shots.

As the clock ticked on the Seconds piled on the pressure, they sacrificed a defender for a forward. The last five minutes were nail biting moments and it was the Thirds that held out for a great victory against their Junior One rivals.

This was a spirited performance from the thirds who seemed to want victory more and were worthy winners. Some excellent performers on the night were particularly Beck who was rock solid, Jess in the midfield who worked tirelessy throughout and Appy in goals who has seemed to have rediscovered his form.

Best for the Seconds was Magee who tried everything to get his team back into the game.

Well done to the Thirds who will be proud of their performance and will be hoping to keep climbing the table with two more games left. The seconds campaign is now over and will finish third in a disappointing end to the season.

Thanks to Mark Dowds and Andy Adamson for umpiring.