Reserves are promoted to Division Two

Banbridge Rangers Reserves 4

Glenavy Reserves 1

BANBRIDGE Rangers Reserves played on Wednesday night at the Tech pitch against Glenavy Reserves knowing that four points in their last six matches would mathematically secure promotion.

Glenavy were strengthened throughout their line up as their club’s first team have drawn their season to a close. In response the reserves took up the option of playing prolific striker Jason Gourley after missing the match on Tuesday night away to Lisanally Rangers.

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In front of a large home support the Banbridge Rangers team started competitively and looked solid in every position. Neville Cochrane and Colin Gray linked well down the left hand side as did David Rogers in behind Neil Wilson on the opposite flank.

Up front John Thompson and Jason Gourley were working half chances and it seemed that it was only going to be a matter of time before one would get a clear breakthrough but unfortunately Thompson had to be replaced by Thornton midway through the half after picking up an hip injury in a challenge.

It took until the half hour mark before the deadlock was broken with dead ball specialist Colin Gray scoring his seventh goal of the season. Gray had a free kick on the right hand side just outside of the box with the Reserves left back curling his strike into the far top corner with perfect precision.

After several corners the second goal of the game arrived when the ball fell to Wayne McAllister who showed great composure to stroke home into the far corner to give Banbridge Rangers a two goal cushion going into the interval.

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The second half started with the home side continuing to put the Glenavy backline under intense pressure with Neilly Wilson and Wayne McAllister constantly supporting the two strikers at every opportunity from the wings.

Ten minutes into the half Jason Gourley had cut inside his man from the right wing and going unopposed towards the keeper he went to strike but was impeded by the covering defender catching his swinging leg. The referee hesitated before not awarding a penalty kick.

The let off for Glenavy spurred the away side into life and took full advantage of the next attack finding the back of McCune's net to make the score 2-1.

A spell of 10 minutes of pressure had the Rangers defence under continued pressure for the first time in the match but some towering defending from captain Colin Harper and an excellent save from McCune kept Glenavy at bay.

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With 20 minutes left on the clock Banbridge Rangers were relieved when Jason Gourley's composure inside the box saw him extend the lead back to two goals between the sides with a confident strike.

As Glenavy came forward the space behind their defence paved the way for several counter attacks with a fourth goal coming 15 minutes from time. Wilson picked a clearance up just outside his own box and had the awareness to pick out the cross field run of Gourley who let the ball bounce once inside the opposition half before lobbing the keeper.

As the ball hit the top corner Gourley reeled off in celebration to the delight of the home support in recognition of his wonderful strike that was also his fifth goal in five days for Banbridge Rangers Reserves.

With news that Moneyslane, the only side able to catch Banbridge Rangers, had failed to beat Donacloney manager Dan Thornton was congratulated on promotion to Reserve Division Two which has saw the Second string win their last 16 matches consecutively.

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Tullygally won their match against Lisanally keeping the distance to the top at four points but Banbridge Rangers will keep plugging away hoping that the match between the two sides will decide the outcome of the league. Man on the match on the night went to Neil Wilson who was consistently productive in his role on the right hand side of midfield.

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