Disappointing end to IHL programme

Banbridge 2

THE game began with both teams showing attacking intent and looking to get forward at every opportunity.

Banbridge had the first chance from play and Chris Daunt in the Harlequins goal had to be sharp to turn away a shot from Drew Carlisle.

Harlequins’ first opportunity fell to Rob Hobbs whose shot was saved by Gareth Lennox and he also dealt with the follow up effort which was a reverse stick strike from Lee d'Alton.

The only two short corners of the opening quarter were both awarded to Banbridge and Chris Daunt made a fine save from Ross McCandless to his left hand side from the first of these. The second corner failed to hit the target.

Harlequins’ David Egner had an excellent chance at the beginning of the second quarter but failed to hit the target when one on one with Gareth Lennox.

They took the lead from their first corner of the game in the 32nd minute when Mark Black scored with a low shot past Gareth Lennox after he had saved the initial drag flick from Dan Hobbs.

But that lead lasted only two minutes as Banbridge responded with a short corner two minutes later as Josh Moffett superbly deflected a Ross McCandless pass to the roof of the net.

Banbridge took the lead in the 48th minute when after a quick passing move down the right Simon McGowan on the penalty spot finished with accuracy past Reinout Mensink in the Harlequins goal.

Bann really pushed hard for a third goal but the Harlequins defence well marshalled by John Hobbs stood firm.

Ten minutes from time Hobbs won the ball around the half way line, came forward with the ball and passed to the inrushing Darren Farrell who deflected the ball high to the Banbridge net.

This made for a really exciting last 10 minutes as both sides pressed hard for the winning goal.

With a draw looking the likely outcome Jason Black attacked with the ball from around the halfway line beat a couple of defenders and found Lee d'Alton in space at the top of the Banbridge circle and he fired an unstoppable shot past Gareth Lennox to give Harlequins the winning goal.