First away defeat is hard to swallow for Town boss

Banbridge Town boss Ryan Watson has plenty of positives to take from a disappointing result.
Banbridge Town boss Ryan Watson. INBL1537-273PBBanbridge Town boss Ryan Watson. INBL1537-273PB
Banbridge Town boss Ryan Watson. INBL1537-273PB

While they lost out to Tobermore United, an under-srength Town side pushed their opponents all the way.

That must be positive news for the boss, who was missing seven first-team regulars.

However, it proved little consolation come the final whistle as Town’s unbeaten league record away from home came to an end.

“It’s been a while coming but that doesn’t make it easier when it happens,” said Watson.

“It was really disappointing not to take anything from the game, especially after we bossed the second half.

“We didn’t turn up in the first half and didn’t get into our normal flow at all.
“But after half-time, the boys really upped things and we tormented them. They couldn’t get near us and we got a deserved equaliser, which was very well worked.

“We were the only team that looked like winning the game and had a great chance to go ahead when Ryan Gourley put a good cross in. Jamie (Smith) just couldn’t get enough on the header and it was a missed chance we were made to rue.

“It wasn’t a 3-1 game. They got a couple late on and there were good signs for us. Even with so many out, we felt the squad was good enough to get a win. We just didn’t play as well as we should.

“We have to take the result on the chin and make sure we put it behind us. The week of gives us that extra time to regroup and make sure we’re ready to go again in two weeks.”

That free Saturday will at least mean Watson has a bigger squad to choose from next time out against Moyola Park.

Town should be able to welcome back Conor Downey, Chris McGrath and Tuda Murphy, although Martin Buchanan and Stuart Thompson are unlikely to be fit to return.

Meanwhile, the club were also quick to offer their sympathies to two loyal clubmen on their recent bereavements:

“Everyone at Banbridge Town FC wish to extend their sincere condolences to club captain Ryan ‘Pixie’ Moffatt on the passing of his grandfather Winston and to Treasurer Jon Houston on the passing of his father. May they Rest in Peace.”

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