Rangers hand over the points in Portadown

Banbridge Rangers' poor first half showing on Saturday saw them hand over all three points to Intermediate A rivals Hanover at Brownstown Park.
Dean Spence was sent off for Rangers on Saturday. INBL1633-201PBDean Spence was sent off for Rangers on Saturday. INBL1633-201PB
Dean Spence was sent off for Rangers on Saturday. INBL1633-201PB

It was difficult for Lee Feeney’s men to get to grip with conditions in torrential rain with particularly long grass which made Rangers’ normal short-passing game redundant.

In the 16th minute, Hanover opened the scoring through John Whitten, who picked up a deep corner and sent his first time shot into the top of the net.

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Mark Wilton went agonisingly close to equalising three minutes later with an unchallenged header from ten yards but saw his effort sail over the bar.

Hanover then doubled their lead when Regan McIlveen came in from the right on Frazer’s blindside to volley in past the returning Blevins at the near post. McIlveen added his second by heading in from close range.

At 3-0 down, things then took a turn for the worse for the Gers when Dean Spence was shown a straight red on the stroke of half time.

The three points were already of reach for the 10 man visitors but in a surprising second half, it was Banbridge Rangers who dominated possession.

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They even created a host of chances but failed to convert when well placed in front of goal.

All in all, it was a tough game for Rangers and a big response is needed this Saturday when Ballymacash Rangers visit Cheney Park.

Kick Off is at 2.15pm and after the football there is a Poker Night in Harry’s Bar upstairs starting at 7.30pm.

RANGERS: Ivon Blevins, Ben Wilson (Danny McKinstry 84), Jonny Porter, Nathan Baird, William Frazer, Colin Cousins, Mark Wilton (Lee Feeney 67), Stephen Teggart, Jeff Brady (c), Dean Spence, Colin Cunningham.