Winning form returns for AFC

Richhill 1

BANBRIDGE AFC got back to winning ways this week with a 3-1 win at home to league leaders Richhill.

The local team couldn't have got off to a worse start finding themselves a goal down after two minutes. An attempted clearance by Smith in AFCs nets was intercepted, leaving the Richhill striker an open net to score in.

This minor set back seemed to make the Banbridge men more determined as they up the tempo of the game. McCourt in the center of midfield started to dictate the play more which put Richhill on the back foot.

For all their possession AFC couldn't find away past the away team's defence. Donaghy, McKay and both McDowell brothers all had chances to level the score but the home side still went in at half time a goal down.

Richhill started the second half the brighter of the two teams but found Buchanan, Walker, Anderson and Myles in AFCs defence way to strong and they easily dealt with what ever was thrown at them. This seemed to dishearten Richhill and AFC started to control the game again.

On the hour AFC got the goal they fairly deserved Ryan McDowell whipped in a ball from the right which the away team failed to clear and Mark McDowell was there to poke the ball home from five yards.

Sensing the game was there for the taking AFC pushed forward looking more goals .McKay and Ryan McDowell on the wings were tearing Richhill to shreads and only for some last ditch challenges AFC would have been ahead.

Seventy-five minutes into the game McKay's corner found Gartland whose intelligent run to the front post lost his marker leaving him to powerfully head the ball into the roof of the net.

The Banbridge side were still hungry for more goals. Rooney had a great chance to double his team's lead but his shot went just wide of the post.

With a minute left on the referee's watch Trainor went on a mazy run down the right. He looked up picked out Mark McDowell's run at the back post, his inch perfect cross was meet firmly by the head of McDowell, giving him his second goal of the game and the three points to Banbridge AFC.

Man of the match goes to Kieran McCourt who dictated the game from start to finish, next week AFC are away to Ballymacash Rangers in the league.