Seven heaven as David proves too strong with a hat-trick against Garvey

Banbridge Threes smashed seven goals past Lisnagarvey Fours in the first round of the McClements Cup.

Bann had beaten them in their last two encounters in the league however the last meeting saw Bann only getting over the line with a tight 3-2 score line.

Bann welcomed Ben Knox and Dave Armstrong into the squad with Craig Kennedy missing out after failing a late fitness test.

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Bann soon found their stride and started to dominate the midfield with Scott and McKnight pulling the strings. Woods and Armstrong were probing the back line of Garvey well and it wasn’t long until Bann won their first short corner. Anderson took the opportunity to open the scoring when his drag flick was deflected into the goal off a Garvey foot.

Bann continued to press forward and after they won another short, Armstrong was on hand to pick up the rebound from the initial shot and finish superbly on his reverse high into the Garvey net.

The best goal of the game came towards the end of the first half after a quick attack down the left found Knox in acres of space and his pin point cross found the diving Dean who deflected the ball past the Garvey keeper to give Bann a three goal advantage going into half time.

Garvey came out in the second half trying to apply some pressure on Bann but failed to create any clear chance opportunities. Bann struggled to replicate the same form from the first half in the early stages of the second. As it progressed, Bann seemed to come alive again and after good work outside the circle from Scott, Armstrong made no mistake with a high flick into the roof of the Garvey net.

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Bann went on to win another short corner and after the initial deflected shot was saved, Scott was on hand to push the ball over the line from close range. Garvey were struggling to cope with the Bann pressure and Armstrong scored Bann’s sixth and his third with another great flick. Bann defence was rock solid and any Garvey counters were mopped up by Bennington, Anderson and Matson.

Bann scored a final short corner when Anderson flicked from the top of the circle into the side netting.

This truly was a dominant display by Bann Thirds and their best performance of the season by far. The thirds now return to league action on Saturday at home to Raphoe Seconds with the outside chance of still challenging for the Junior Two title.