Gray and McCallister on target for Swifts

Banbridge Rangers Swifts 2

Kirkistown 0

BANBRIDGE Rangers Swifts made it three wins out of their last three games, comfortably seeing off Kirkistown at Dromore Leisure centre last Saturday.

The Swifts have been prolific scorers from the outset of the season but are now defending much better as a unit and are climbing the Newcastle League Division Three rapidly in their inaugural year.

Things looked bright from the outset with some good passing movements from midfield resuling in sustained pressure and set pieces for the home side. Rangers almost took the lead on two occasions in the opening 15 minutes when captain Colin Martin thundered his header off the crossbar from a corner before dead ball specialist Colin Gray hit the frame from a free kick from 25 yards out.

Gray was not to be denied and continued his hot streak in front of goal picking up a loose clearance from a Kirkistown corner and blasting into the back of the net to give Rangers Swifts a lead on the half hour mark.

Paul McCrum and Bryan Dobbin had several shots from distance in the remaining periods of the first half an Kirkistown had picked up their game but Anderson looked confident behind the settled back four of Gray, Dillon, Martin and McInnes.

The second half was more stretched with Rangers midfield duo of Robbie Baird and James Monteith trying to link up with front man Matthew Gribben. Ryan Gibbons came on for McCrum and took up position on the right hand side as Kirkistown started to put more pressure on the Rangers backline. Both teams had chances to score the next goal from corners but neither could find any clear cut opportunities.

With 15 minutes left Wayne McAllister sealed the win firing a low shot across the Kirkistown keeper after a swift counter attack from the Rangers team. Kirkistown piled forward and could have conceded a third after some quick thinking from a throw left Trevor McMinn free on the byline to pull back for Gribben whose shot was well saved at the near post.

Banbridge Rangers played out the last few minutes with Paul Dobbin replacing Wayne McAllister on the left hand side.

This Saturday the Swifts travel to play Carryduff Colts who beat Banbridge Rangers at the start of the month and have been the best side so far to play Rangers this season so far. Kick off is scheduled for 2pm.