Seven-heaven for Banbridge who smash past South and into second

Banbridge Thirds smashed seven past South Antrim Seconds at Havelock on Saturday to overtake the Lisburn side into second in Junior Two.

It was the first meeting of the two sides this season with the previous encounter called off due to a frozen pitch. Bann were at full strength with the majority of school boys in the side.

Bann got off to the perfect start and scored with their first meaningful attack. Campbell found Brown free on the right side of the 25 and his cross was converted by the unmarked Knox from just inside the penalty spot.

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Campbell went from creator to scorer when he outpaced a couple of South Antrim players to fire the ball into the bottom corner.

Bann were in total control and Scott scored the best goal of the goal. After some good play down the left between Anderson and Knox, Knox found Scott just outside the circle and after eliminating a South Antrim defender with ease, he hit the ballon the bounce into the roof of the South Antrim goal.

South Antrim came out fighting in the second half and after some poor play at the back, Adair had to save well from a South Antrim forward to maintain Bann’s lead. South Antrim were pushing to get back in the game when Bann produced a great counter attack down the right with Brown finding Armstrong in the circle and his first time shot went into the side netting of the South Antrim goal. South Antrim did manage to get a goal back when a South Antrim attacker scored with a fierce reverse stick shot.

Campbell was looking lively up front for Bann and he scored his second after his initial shot was saved by the South Antrim keeper and he was on hand to force the ball over the line.

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Bann continued to press forward looking for more goals and Dean opened his account for the day after picking up strongly in the South Antrim 25, spinning his defender and firing his shot into the bottom corner. Bann added a seventh in the final stages of the match when Scott rounded the keeper on the baseline and crossed for Armstrong to tap in from close range.

Bann now look favourites to get second spot with four games to go but will need a similar performance when the sides meet again for the return fixture in Lisburn.

The Thirds turn their attention to the next round of the McClements Cup on Saturday when they take on North Down Seconds who play in the league above but currently are rooted to the bottom.

The sides met at a similar stage last season with Bann eventually winning 2-1.

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