town off to a flyer in league

Ryan Watson will be a happy man after Saturday’s opening league victory over Moyola Park.

However, he will be realistic enough to not get carried away despite this ideal start to their league campaign.

Damien McParland missed out through injury but this was offset with the news that Paul Walsh had returned to the Club and would start.

Banbridge took a 20th minute lead with a fine Mark Teggart strike. Mattie McCartan won the ball in midfield before feeding Adam Pedlow out on the left. The latter found Teggart who raced in and found the corner of the net with a good drive past ‘keeper Maguire.

A powerful Conor Downey shot crashed off the crossbar with Maguire beaten and new signing Gary Boyle curled an effort just wide of the upright.

Boyle fired across goal on the half-hour but no one was on hand to finish while a typical long range volley from Walsh flashed over after 35 minutes. There was pandemonium in the Moyola goalmouth after 38 minutes following a Town corner but Pedlow fired wide when the chance presented itself.

Downey had the ball in the net from a Walsh cross in the 46th minute only to have his effort ruled out for offside.

Mattie McCartan‘s won the ball in midfield after 61 minutes and found Conor Downey but the latter shot wide when well placed. Town struck the crossbar for the second time in the 65th minute through a fierce Paul Walsh shot with Mark Teggart blazing the rebound wildly over.

Stephen Cairnduff held a late Moyola drive as Town held on to secure a good opening win even if they had their fans on tenterhooks at times.

Next Tuesday Banbridge Town play host to Queen’s University in the League Cup at 6.45pm, and on Saturday Annagh Utd visit Crystal Park (3pm) in the league.

Banbridge Town would like to hear from anyone interested in managing their reserve team - contact Stephen Magill at [email protected] or Andrew Cully at [email protected]

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