Banbridge Town vs Derriaghy

In the opening ten minutes of the tie, Town goalkeeper Niall Brady collided with Derriaghy forward inside his area which resulted in a penalty and a yellow card. The penalty was converted into the bottom left corner, inches away from the palms of Brady who picked the correct side but was unlucky.

Shortly after conceding the opening goal of the game, Banbridge started to create chances and put Derriaghy under pressure. A move starting with Ryan Gourley on the left wing in the 14^th minute would be the most effective Town attack of the half, a one-two with Stephen McCavitt gave Gourley the space to find Micheal McCavitt lingering on the fringe of the Derriaghy box, he hit the ball into the roof of the net emphatically to level the game 1-1 and boost Town spirits.

Town were on top after equalizing but failed to punish Derriaghy and would soon come to regret that as the home side struggled to deal with the opposition’s forwards. A long ball pumped forward by the Derriaghy goalkeeper with guidance from the wind beat everyone on the pitch and fell kindly at the feet of the Derriaghy striker who rounded Brady and rolled the ball into the net to reestablish their lead at 2-1

Town had a golden opportunity to get back on level terms in the 30^th minute, Conor Downey delivered a pinpoint free kick with Stephen McCavitt the target at the back post but a collision with the goalkeeper snatched his chance at grabbing his first goal of the game.

In the 34^th minute the tie took a turn for the worst, a miscommunication from the Town led to the defense giving the ball away cheaply, this allowed Derriaghy to counterattack with numbers and punish Banbridge by adding their third goal of the game and the last of the first half. Captain Stephen McCavitt picked up a yellow card just before the halftime whistle.

Mark Kerr made two substitutions to commence the second half, Benjamin McKeown came off for Jack Kerr who marked his debut at Crystal Park and Matthew Taylor came off the bench to replace Patrick Shearer.

Town started the second half with hopes to reverse their first half performance and started bright with Gourley and Reece Doyle working well down the left-hand side. Despite having few chances on goal, Town’s luck took a turn for the better with a second yellow card for Derriaghy’s midfielder bringing them to ten men.

After a very uneventful first half, Town would have a taste of their own medicine with a late challenge by Stephen McCavitt warranting his second yellow card of the game, both teams were a man down for the closing ten minutes and Derriaghy took full advantage adding their fourth of the game from the resulting free kick and wrapping up a tough day for Banbridge, losing 3-1

Subs; Benjamin McKeown off for Jack Kerr – Patrick shearer off for Matthew Taylor – Conor Downey off for Liam Vaughan.