Woods brace ensures Bann 3s end year with a close-fought win

The lively Rory Woods bagged both goals as Bann moved above Raphoe Seconds, who they face on 4th January, into eighth in the league. Several good chances were created in the first-half but the Mossley keeper was in good form. Bann were controlling proceedings but were tested by Mossley on a couple of occasions with Skillen saving well. Anderson saw his first drag-flick cleared off the line and couldn’t convert the rebound to his second short corner towards the end of the half.

Bann opened the scoring within the first five minutes of the second half. A flowing move down the left-side of the pitch released substitute Gareth Matthews and after eliminating his marker, he found Woods in space who fired the ball into the bottom corner on his reverse.

Shortly after scoring, Bann lost the services of influential midfielder Luke Woods who sustained an injury to his hand. Mossley started to get back into the game and won a couple of short corners but were unable to convert. Mossley continued to press forward and were eventually rewarded when the ball fell to an unmarked forward who slotted the ball home from close range.

Both sides now pressed forward looking for the winner and after Mossley missed a good opportunity, Bann countered and Woods skilfully skipped past a couple of Mossley defenders to hit the winner, again on his reverse, into the bottom corner. Bann managed to see out the last couple of minutes to end the year with a win.