Another home draw for Reserves as early Orr strike is cancelled out

Banbridge Town AFC Reserves battled hard to earn another home draw against what was a strong visiting Silverwood side on Saturday afternoon.
Banbridge Town Supporters Club presented match ball to Banbridge Town AFC and Banbridge Town AFC Reserves included are Dan Buchannan Banbridge Town Supporters Transport Officer, Anthony Blackburn Banbridge Town AFC, Stephen Magill Banbridge Town FC Secretary, Terry Sweeney Banbridge Town Supporters Club Vice Chair, Christian Beattie Banbridge Town AFC and Gary Spiers Banbridge Town AFC Reserves © Paul Byrne Photography INBL1438-276PBBanbridge Town Supporters Club presented match ball to Banbridge Town AFC and Banbridge Town AFC Reserves included are Dan Buchannan Banbridge Town Supporters Transport Officer, Anthony Blackburn Banbridge Town AFC, Stephen Magill Banbridge Town FC Secretary, Terry Sweeney Banbridge Town Supporters Club Vice Chair, Christian Beattie Banbridge Town AFC and Gary Spiers Banbridge Town AFC Reserves © Paul Byrne Photography INBL1438-276PB
Banbridge Town Supporters Club presented match ball to Banbridge Town AFC and Banbridge Town AFC Reserves included are Dan Buchannan Banbridge Town Supporters Transport Officer, Anthony Blackburn Banbridge Town AFC, Stephen Magill Banbridge Town FC Secretary, Terry Sweeney Banbridge Town Supporters Club Vice Chair, Christian Beattie Banbridge Town AFC and Gary Spiers Banbridge Town AFC Reserves © Paul Byrne Photography INBL1438-276PB

It all started so well for the hosts as a Paul Maginess cross was knocked back across the goal by Alan Dougan and Chris Orr was on hand to knock it in from four yards.

However, they didn’t hold on to their lead as the visitors equalised to seal a 1-1 draw.

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Right from their early goal, Silverwood started to dominate play but failed to trouble a strong back two in Budde and Madden, who easily dealt with the visitors’ constant long balls.

Stand in keeper Gary Spiers was only called upon once in the first half as he comfortably dealt with a close range header. The second half saw little change in the game, the visitors with more possession and AFC hitting them on the break but poor passing and poor options meant the visiting backline was rarely troubled.

Eventually, the pressure told on the AFC backline as the leveller arrived with 15 minutes remaining. A left wing cross was knocked back across goal and Stevie Budde could only help the ball into the net as he tried to clear.

With the visitors pushing hard for a winner, it was AFC who should have regained the lead, an excellent Mark Goan cross found Andy Houston with space and time in front of goal but could only hold his head as his effort narrowly went the wrong side of the post.

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AFC comfortably held on for the draw despite seven minutes injury time, and with a bit more composure, may even have won the game late on, especially when through on a three-on-two breakaway but that lack of a final ball again cost them dear.Next up for AFC Reserves is a league game against Donaghcloney Reserves at the Tech Pitch.

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