Rangers keep title momentum going

BANBRIDGE Rangers played Oxford Utd at Cheney Park on Saturday past in a Mid Ulster Intermediate B League encounter.

Having already won the corresponding fixture Geordie McAllister was looking for his side to complete a double and keep the momentum going for a title challenge.

The first half was not a great spectacle with Oxford content to contain any Banbridge pressure by sitting deep and closing the ball quickly in midfield.

Scotty Ward was the first to create an opening when he skipped past two challenges but his shot from distance didn’t cause the Oxford keeper any distress. Bradley Hughes then thought he had opened the scoring as he latched onto a long free kick from Chambers but had to watch agonisingly as his first time side footed volley fizzed past the post.

With the Banbridge side now looking composed and in control they eventually broke the deadlock when excellent work on the overlap by speedy full back William Frazer saw him pick out James Beck in the box with a pin point cross and he controlled well on the chest before drilling the ball past the helpless Oxford keeper.

With minutes left to the interval Oxford grabbed a lifeline as a poor initial goal kick by Blevins allowed the Oxford striker to race clear and in attempt to tackle him Porter was adjudged to have commited a foul and the resulting spot kick allowed the visitors to go in level at the break.

In the second half Rangers upped the tempo and with Ward and Loney in more control of proceedings in midfield the home side began to take total control. On 55 minutes Gourley put his side back in front after good initial build up play by Cousins and Beck.

Frustration now crept into some of the Oxford players and one was duly dismissed for an off the ball incident. With numerical advantage Banbridge gaffer McCallister introduced McCahon and with only his second touch had his side 3-1 ahead when Gourley had played a neat ball into his path, leaving him only the keeper to beat.

Wayne McCallister replaced the injured Frazer and just like McCahon he had an immediate impact as he crashed an effort of the bar.

Now in total control it looked like Oxford had thrown in the towel but Hughes kicked out after he had been fouled and was issued a straight red leaving it 10 versus 10.

Oxford lifted their game for a short spell but when he was called upon Blevins made a fantastic save as he tipped the ball over the bar from a fierce shot after their winger was left unmarked inside the box.

The game was soon sealed when a Chambers long pass was pulled out of the air by the industrious Gourley who first spun his marker before sprinting clear and then coolly side footing into the bottom right hand corner from just inside the box.

James Monteith made his second senior appearance as he was introduced for Beck but Rangers didn’t create many more chances and now prepare for next week’s game against league leaders and title favorites Markethill.

The Banbridge side did beat Markethill 3-0 at Cheney Park earlier in the season but since then they have not been beaten so if title aspirations are to be discovered some sort of result will be required for Geordie McAllister and his squad next Saturday.