A brace for Hayes as Town AFC win the derby

It was a well measured and dominant performance by Town AFC in poor conditions at Cheney Park, and it had to be to secure a 3-1 success over Banbridge Rangers Reserves.

Jordan Hayes bagged a brace while David Houston was also on target.

After only five minutes Town had their first real chance when Jones swept the ball out to full back Daniel Devlin who linked up well with Stephen McCavitt down the left, a threatening combination all day, and the latter’s shot flew across the face of goal.

Town were soon rewarded for their pressure after yet more good work down the left flank, the cross into the box found Jordan Hayes who flicked it out over the head of a defender before coolly volleying low into the bottom corner.

This then rallied Rangers into life who fought back with a period of sustained pressure.

This yielded a succession of corners and throw-in from which they won a free-kick wide right which was drilled in low across the box and Montgomery saw his attempted clearance end up in the back of his net.

Just before the half ended, Town lost their captain Brian Johnston through a head collision.

In the second half, Town regained control of the match, pressing and harrying Rangers high up the pitch giving them little time on the ball forcing frequent errors in the high winds.

Twenty minutes into the second half Town got their second when David Houston’s well timed run saw him latch onto a loose ball inside the box and calmly slot past the keeper to make it 2-1.

Rangers almost equalised, again with the help of a missed cued clearance from a long throw when Dylan Martin sliced his the ball off the post.

Next to test the home side’s defence was left-back Devlin whose mazy run from his own half almost brought a spectacular third after seemingly taking on the whole Rangers team before his shot from 15-yards drifted agonisingly wide of the far post.

Then with five minutes to go, AFC secured the points through another goal from striker Hayes who precisely placed a left footed shot into the bottom corner after a neat turn on the edge of the box.

Special mention must go to Jones in the middle of the park who, when not dictating the tempo of play with his wide range of passing, was breaking up play and using his experience to help guide the young AFC team to see out the game.

TOWN AFC: Andrews, Orr, Johnston, Martin, Devlin, Toner, Canning, Jones, Montgomery, McCavitt, Hayes.

Subs: Thompson, Houston, Weir, Cherry.