Late goal dashes Rangers' dreams in Marshall cup

Banbridge Rangers felt aggrieved after what they thought was a dubious goal turned their Marshall Cup Semi Final against Newry City AFC.
Banbridge Rangers fell to an agonising last gasp defeat to Newry on Saturday.Banbridge Rangers fell to an agonising last gasp defeat to Newry on Saturday.
Banbridge Rangers fell to an agonising last gasp defeat to Newry on Saturday.

With the Banbridge side heading into the final quarter of the match a goal to the good, what they felt was a clear offside call was missed in the six yard box which allowed Newry to equalise at a critical point in the game.

This gave the home team the momentum to push on and grab a winner with two minutes to go.

A positive start by the well supported travelling side saw Stephen Teggart get the first sniff of goal when the ball was played into his path but the young lone striker was denied his shot by a great saving tackle by Conor McCaul.

The opening goal arrived in the 19th minute through Jeff Brady who stabbed home from close range at the back post from a deep Clydesdale corner.

Mark Patton had Newry’s best chance of the half with four minutes until the interval when he worked a shooting opportunity inside the six yard box but his goal bound shot was met with a remarkable sliding block by William Frazer.

The Gers game plan in the second half was to allow Newry possession in their own half and play for a counter attack second goal which would have seen them into a showpiece final in their hometown.

With less than 25 minutes Newry grabbed an equaliser that Banbridge felt should never have stood.

A corner was lifted back into the box and when Carville headed the ball on to two Newry players inside the six yard box there wasn’t a Banbridge Rangers player within three yards of either and Mark Patton slammed home from close range.

Both teams had a number of chances to grab a second goal with Teggart, Jonny Porter and Jeff Brady going close for the Gers.

Teggart had a snap shot saved, Porter headed wide and Brady saw his volley tipped onto the bar.

Ultimately it was Newry who grabbed the winner with only two minutes remaining.

Substitute Stephen McCabe being the grateful recipient of a Jimmy Walker ball over the last defender and lobbed in from 20 yards out.

Banbridge Rangers go to Lisburn on Tuesday to play Ballymacash Rangers in a league match. Kick off 7pm.

Related topics: