Seconds Sink Service

Notable absentees at opposite ends of the pitch were David Beattie and David McAnulty, who were holidaying in Scotland and Honolulu respectively.

The game had a cagey start with both teams struggling to secure much meaningful possession on a sticky, sand-based pitch which proved challenging in achieving a passing game.

As the game progressed Bann made several potent attacks down both flanks and began to gain more possession within the opposition’s half.

From one of these attacks Lee Tumilty and Philip Doyle combined well down the left-hand side, with Doyle setting up Ciaran Kelly in the circle to score a snappy, open-side strike low to the ‘keeper’s right.

Banbridge capitalised on this momentum and soon doubled their lead again through Ciaran Kelly after some good work by Owen Magee and Mark McCague.

Some complacent Bann defending allowed Service to pull a soft goal back and the home side were soon back on level terms after Banbridge failed to clear a ball in their circle.

The score remained at two apiece at half time and Bann began the second period much more brightly as their work-rate from midfielders and forwards improved vastly and their superior fitness levels began to tell.

Banbridge soon regained the lead as some great counterattacking hockey saw the ball spread wide down the left side and Mark McCague fed Doyle in the D, who drew out the goalkeeper before firing to the back post for Ian Livingstone to make a goalscoring return from injury.

From then on Banbridge saw the lion’s share of possession and were determined not let their lead slip again. Robin Smryl found Neil Anderson who jinked around several defenders before winning a short corner. From the corner Owen Magee finished well after the Service ‘keeper had saved from a Douglas Anderson drag flick.

Soon after, Banbridge lost the talismanic central defender through a hamstring injury. His absence soon told with Civil Service winning a series of short corners though these were ably dealt with by stand-in goalkeeper Mooney and the Bann defence. The game opened up significantly towards the end and Owen Magee capped off a fine individual performance with his second goal when he was presented with an empty net after a bizarre incident which saw the Civil Service goalie mistaking his role and attempting to mark Doyle instead of staying between his sticks.

So after an indifferent open period Banbridge proved their ability in the second half with some excellent hockey and passing on a difficult surface and they will hope they can build on this performance next Saturday when they entertain an unbeaten Lisnagarvey 2nd XI at Havelock Park.