Double defeat for Swifts

Banbridge Rangers Swifts are hovering in mid table and have only four games remaining in their inaugural season in the Newcastle League and will be aiming to consolidate a top half finish.

This was Banbridge Rangers Swifts first game in four weeks and a slow start helped Valley Rangers exert their influence on the game and pressed Rangers back in search of an opening goal early on.

On 20 minutes Valley Rangers took the lead with a well executed free kick from just outside the box with the goal sparking some life into Rangers.

Both sides began to lift their game and Banbridge Rangers had several half chances before Valley Rangers scored a crucial second goal less than ten minutes to the half time interval.

Changes were made at half time with Mallen replacing Dobbin with the Banbridge side changing to a more attacking formation in search of a way back into the match.

The second half was a positive change from the first half with more chances for the away side who didn’t have the rub of the green on Saturday.

Banbridge Rangers closest opportunity came late on with Mallen striking the post but Valley Rangers killed the game with a breakaway third goal in the eightieth minute.

A late penalty shout for the away side was turned down by the referee but this would have been merely a consolation for Banbridge Rangers Swifts who now travel to Strangford this Saturday and will hope to repeat the result of the home fixture when Banbridge Rangers