The Banbridge side started with a 4-5-1 formation and in the opening fifteen minutes were totally dominant with both James Beck and John McCahon exploiting frailties in the home defence down both flanks. Captain Chris Loney was in superb form in the centre of the park and his vision and pinpoint passes had the Markethill back line continuously on the back foot. One of his passes set Beck racing clear but his effort found only the side netting when a square ball to Gourley may have been the better option. In defence Chrissy Chambers was impeccable and in total control of all that came in his way and he was well assisted by Cousins Porter and Frazer.
With the vocal home support loudening Swifts came more into the game and from a corner Chambers headed clear but the ball fell to Gaston and the Swifts captain struck a tremendous shot which was goal bound all the way until somehow Blevins and sprung at the last second and finger tipped over the bar. From the next corner Rangers again won the first ball but this time they broke on a fast break counter where Colly Cousins sped the length of the pitch with the ball but his shot was tipped round the post by the Markethill keeper.
Davy Smyth was employed in the holding roll in midfield and his combative presence seen the home sides pattern of football continually broken up and he provided a needed shield in front of his back four. Before the break both McCahon and Gourley had a half chance each but still the deadlock could not be broken.
In the second half Rangers had to contain a barrage of attacks in the opening ten minutes but once again Blevins came to his sides rescue when he saved a one on one with Swifts centre forward Jonny Black becoming frustrated at being unable to beat the Rangers keeper. Within minutes it was that man Black who again was sent clear behind the Rangers defence but this time Jonny Porter tracked him back and just as the trigger was pulled slid in to make a fantastic block which surely prevented a certain goal.
With twenty minutes remaining McAllister changed the shape of his side with Cousins going into midfield and McCahon pushing on as a second forward as a win was still within their grasp. With Cousins now cutting inside and Willie Frazer on the continual overlap Rangers now began to get a foothold in the game and forced a string of saves from the home keeper as well as countless corner kicks.
One of these was met by Smyth and his header was controlled by McMinn in front of the keeper who spun and shot only to see his effort saved on the line. With a few minutes remaining Loney released Beck in the right hand channel and his cross was met by a diving header from McCahon but again the keeper made a good save.
A draw now looked on the cards as the game moved into added time but to the delight of the Rangers traveling support Gourley picked up the ball inside the Markethill penalty area and although his first shot was mis hit and blocked by the last defender the ball fell into his path and he slotted low into the corner. The Rangers players went ecstatic but still there were three minutes of added time remaining and this contest wasn’t over just yet.
The home side piled almost everyone forward and from a long ball Gaston again found himself on the end of a knock down and his driven shot looked like going in only for Blevins to again dive at full stretch and tip it round the post to again deny Markethill and finally clinch the three points for a delighted Rangers squad and supporters.
On the day every player rose to the occasion and battled immensely with Loney and Porter being the pick of the outfield players. That said no one including the Markethill personnel could deny that Ivon Blevins had produced a man of the match display which would be up there with the best seen in the league for a considerable period of time. Next week Rangers are at home to Richhill who defeated them earlier on the season so revenge is a must for the Banbridge side to keep the pressure on at the top of the table.
Markethill Swifts..............................0
Banbridge Rangers...........................1
Saturday 13th February 2010 2.15pm
