Banbridge Town 3
Tobermore United 0


So something had to give and it didn't take too long to sort out whose good form was to continue and unfortunately for the South Derry men it was the boys from County Down who emerged as victors.

In saying that there was little difference in the two teams in a dogged battle which was spoiled by the conditions and an over zealous referee who at times lost control of the game.

As early as the first minute Paul Owens zipped in a lively shot just over the bar and the same player tested the home keeper a few minutes later but it was Banbridge who took the lead on six minutes when Meehan had a free header from a near post corner.

Then the fun started when the referee turned down Tobermore's appeal for a clear cut penalty for a handball inside the box and then Niall Cooke was struck by a Town defender also inside the box but the referee decided to take no action other than to lecture both players.

The game became quite feisty at this point and the whistler handed out cards left right and centre for little reason disrupting any football that the teams wanted to play.

Banbridge extended their lead on 35 minutes when Hassan fisted out a left wing cross only for Evans to blast home from the edge of the box.

Tobermore had plenty of possession but rarely threatened the home goals.

The second half was very much like the first with Tobermore edging the possession but not creating very much up front and Banbridge were always a threat on the break.

With all of the yellow cards handed out the inevitable happened and it was Tobermore's Gavin Doherty, who received his marching orders on 60 minutes for a second yellow, leaving Tobermore with an even greater mountain to climb.

Both teams had half chances and Owens was very unlucky to see his fine free kick headed off the line.

But it was Banbridge who finished on a high when a mix-up between keeper Hassan and central defender McQuillan left Evans a simple shot into an open goal to give him his second of the game and Banbridge their 3rd and all three points.

Tobermore United: Hassan, Walsh, McQuillan, McDaid, Kelly, Pattison, Owens, Cook, McLaughlin, Crockett, Docherty. Subs Young, Lamont, Campbell, Tosh.

Fixtures

Saturday March 15th V Bangor (home) Carnegie Irish League Div 1 (k.o 2.30)

Saturday March 22nd V Coagh (home) Carnegie Irish League Div 1 (k.o 2.30)

Saturday March 29th V Ards (away) Carnegie Irish League Div 1 (k.o 2.30)

Tobermore United Mini Soccer Centre

Tobermore's Mini Soccer Centre continues every Saturday morning from 10.00 until 11.00 at Maghera Leisure Centre.