Bann Thirds end their Cup campaign with a convincing performance

Bann ended their cup campaign with a convincing performance registering a 4-1 victory. Bann called upon the services of Matthew Young who’d been putting in some strong performances for the fours and welcomed back Michael Anderson who has returned after four years away from the club whilst playing for Cookstown and Queens. Sam Green also come back into the team after missing the start of the season through injury. Bann started brightly with Brown, McKnight and Norris pulling the strings in midfield. It didn’t take long before Bann opened the lead after a flowing move down the right hand side of the pitch found Kennedy in space in the circle and he finished well on his reverse stick with his shot going over the diving Civil Service keeper. The goal seemed to spur Civil Service into life and with their direct style of play tested the Bann defence on a couple of occasions. The Civil Service pressure paid off after a quick free hit was fired into the circle and deflected past the helpless Anderson. Bann rallied and forced a couple of saves from the Civil service keeper with Dean unlucky on a couple of occasions. Bann won their first short corner midway through the first half and a deflection at the back post saw the ball hit a Civil Service defender on the foot with a penalty being awarded. Anderson stepped up to flick the ball past the Civil Service keeper although he was lucky to see the ball go over the line after the Civil Service keeper made a valiant effort to stop the shot. The lively Young made an entrance to remember towards the end of the first half after deflecting home a cross from Kelly to give Bann a 3-1 lead at half time with his first touch. Civil Service responded in the second half pressing Bann during the early stages of the half trying to find a way back into the game. Anderson did well to keep out a couple of Civil Service short corners. Bann were being caught in possession a lot failing to find the fluidity of passing from the first half. When the ball was played up to Kelly, Dean and Kennedy early they were creating opportunities although unable to convert. As the game drew towards the end of the second half the Civil Service keeper misjudged a cross from Dean and Kelly had a simple tap in to seal a convincing win. Bann thirds now open up their league campaign in junior two with a difficult trip away to Annadale thirds on Saturday.