Rangers take Hanover out of the running

Hanover 2

Banbridge Rangers 2

ON Saturday Banbridge Rangers and Hanover played out a scintillating draw that resulted in Hanover being eliminated from the title and promotion race.

Banbridge Rangers needed a minimum of four points from their last two games with a point on Saturday meaning that game away to AFC Craigavon becoming a must win for Geordie McCallister's side. Heavy rain for initial 20 minutes of the match failed to slow the tempo of the highly anticipated game at the top of Intermediate B.

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Both sides had chances in the opening half an hour from set pieces with Chambers and Woods marshaling the defence's diligently for each team.

Banbridge Rangers got the opening goal of the game close to 40 minutes in when Jason Gourley headed in a Chris Loney free kick after Dan Thornton was fouled just inside the Hanover half.

Richie McMinn and Scott Ward were winning the midfield battle and guided Banbridge Rangers into a slender half time lead.

Hanover came out for the second half with renewed vigor knowing that only three points would leave them any mathematical chance of promotion.

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The equaliser came for the home side only five minutes into the half from a well drilled shot after a free kick was awarded just outside the 18 yard area. The referee awarded the free kick when Chris Chambers instructed midfielder Chris Loney to dummy the ball with no opposing players close to the action.

Both teams were combative in the tackle in a more open game than expected with each side using set pieces to threaten for the next crucial goal.

With just under half an hour remaining it was Banbridge Rangers who regained the lead with Chris Chambers smashing the ball home on the half volley from an uncleared corner. Hanover's urgency increased and scored next with on seventy minutes when Colin Brown latched onto a ball outside the area and unleashed a thunderous shot into the top right hand corner.

The game continued to be played at pace with both teams tenacious in their quest for the next goal with both managers going attacking with John Thompson replacing Dan Thornton up front for Banbridge Rangers. Hanover piled on the pressure leaving it man for man at the back with this decision almost seeing the away side take away all three points.

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With 92 minutes on the clock a long ball dropped inside the Hanover half with Jason Gourley beating the Hanover keeper to the ball and rounding a defender with only the covering left back to beat. Gourley's shot was agonisingly hooked wide of the upright unaware that Thompson had covered ground to make himself available for the layoff.

Both teams left the pitch with mixed emotions with Banbridge Rangers having to travel to Craigavon on Tuesday night needing all three points with Hanover dejected at the thought of playing out their remaining two games with no chance of promotion back to Mid Ulster’s top stream.

A large crowd is expected at Lakeview Park to see Banbridge Rangers take on league favorites AFC Craigavon with kick off scheduled for 7pm.

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