Bluefin Premier Intermediate League
Banbridge Town FC 2 Downey (2)
Moyola Park 1 McCann

A warm day saw Moyola return to Banbridge for their match in the Bluefin Premier Intermediate League. Moyola had a slow start to the match, allowing Banbridge to take control and dominate possession early on. As the match progressed however, Moyola grew into the game slowly getting more possession. Despite this neither team was able to create any clear chances, with the first shot on target not coming until the 19th minute when Banbridge drilled a low shot which was easily caught by Farniok. This seemed to encourage Banbridge as in the 20th minute they came close when Moyola failed to clear a corner, resulting in a volley being struck narrowly over. Moyola during this time became very frustrated, resulting in Nicky Hudson picking up a yellow card. Banbridge would see their first yellow card in the 23rd minute when Jason Paul was cleaned out trying to counter for Moyola. McCann stepped up to take the free kick and played it around the wall into the bottom corner, 0-1 to Moyola. Banbridge were able to make some more chances but seemed to lack the killer touch to beat Farniok. Farniok would get another simple save when in the 27th minute the Banbridge striker deflected a shot straight into Farniok’s arms. Moyola received their second yellow card in the 37th minute when Jack Graham was booked after multiple fouls. Although Banbridge dominated the end of the half, Moyola could and should have doubled their lead when McCann made a chipped pass to Jason Paul in the 41st minute, only for him to bend his shot inches past the far post of the goal. The half finished 0-1 to Moyola.

Moyola began the second half like the first, seemingly asleep, as shown by the kick off which they took only to be instantly closed down by a keen and awake Banbridge. Despite this they got back in control with the first chance of the ehalf coming to them in the 47th minute when McCann hit a free kick similar to his first half one, only this time bending just wide. Moyola now spent the majority of the half consolidating their league, concentrating more on defense and only cautiously attacking. Moyola showed some great defense for much of the second half, limiting Banbridge’s chances. A quick free kick from Banbridge would nearly catch Moyola off guard in the 74th minute, however a tame shot resulted in another simple save for Farniok. Moyola made their first substitution in the 76th minute when they brought Stephen Greer on for Stuart Forrest. They followed this with another change in the 81st minute, bringing Benji Agnew on for McCann. Moyola now barely got forward as they focused entirely on protecting their lead. A cross from Banbridge ended up threatening Moyola’s goal but couldn’t quite catch Farniok off guard as he produced a brilliant save. Moyola did make one last chance as Jason Paul found himself one on one with the Banbridge goalkeeper in the 87th minute but hit his shot wide, a missed opportunity they would come to regret. Moyola made their last change in the 90th minute as Hugh Og Boyle came on for Jason Paul. The second minute of added time saw Banbridge’s Downey manage to sneak a header over Farniok into the goal to make it 1-1. This seemed to be a reverse of their game two weeks ago when Moyola came from behind to snatch a draw, however this would not be the case. In the 6th minute of added time Downey turned into a half volley, placing it in the bottom corner for his second to make it 2-1 to Banbridge. More added time followed, however a yellow card for Aaron Harris was the last significant moment of the half. The match finished 2-1 to Banbridge, a loss which would be difficult for Moyola to swallow.

Moyola Park: Farniok, McAllister, Harris, McQuillan, Doey, McClure, Hudson, Paul (Og Boyle 90), McCann (Agnew 81), Graham, Forrest (Greer 76),