Banda strike earns Mallards share of the spoils against Ards

BJ BANDA rescued a precious point for promotion-chasing Ballinamallard United with a stunning second half equaliser at Ferney Park on Saturday.

Shortly after the visitors were reduced to 10 men following a second yellow card for TJ Murray, the livewire striker thundered home from all of 25 yards to cancel out David McAllister’s first half opener and earn the Ducks a share of the spoils.

The stalemate means the Mallards are in fourth at the halfway point of the season although just two points separates the team in second, Loughgall United, and HW Welders in sixth.

The battle for promotion is shaping up to be a fight to the death as the main contenders attempt to stay in touch with leaders Newry who are currently six points ahead of the chasing pack.

This season the Lough 41 Championship has been dog eat dog and with the Mallards and Ards both determined not to lose further ground on leaders Newry City the opening exchanges of this contest was all a bit on the frantic side.

Both sides were struggling to knit together any decent patterns of play until the 18th minute when the Co Down outfit got their noses in the front.

The Mallards failed to clear the ball on the left side of their defence and when Salou Jallow got free he whipped over a low cross for McAllister to finish from close range.

But within two minutes of conceding the opening goal the Mallards had a glorious opportunity to level.

Callum Moorehead was caught by right-back Conall Young as he chased a ball into the left side of the penalty area and referee Declan Hassan immediately pointed to the spot. Top goalscorer Banda’s penalty was low and hard but visiting stopper Brian Neeson guessed right and, at full stretch, saved at the base of his right post.

It remained 1-0 at the interval but both teams offered greater intensity in their play on the resumption of the second period.

John Edgar tested Neeson with a low shot after good play by Banda while at the other end Daniel Reynolds raced through to lift the ball over Brown but his effort lacked pace and was easily cleared.

Shortly after the hour mark the pendulum swung firmly in the Mallards favour when Murray received his second caution for a rash and unnecessary challenge on Ryan Morrow.

The sending off gave the Ducks licence to up the ante in search of an equaliser and their fans didn’t have long to wait until it arrived.

A good move on the right ended with McIlwaine laying the ball off to Banda who let fly first time to send it arrowing high inside Neeson’s far post from all off 25 yards.

Thereafter the game followed the expected pattern. The Mallards ruled the roost in terms of possession while probing for another incisive opening while the 10 men of Ards were content to soak up the pressure and look to hit the homesters on the counter attack.

The visitors twice threatened through Jallow and Sam Dinu but on each occasion their shots were blocked by defenders.

Despite their numerical advantage, the home side struggled to create much in the way of clear-cut openings although they almost grabbed a winner three minutes from time when McIlwaine connected with a Richard Clarke corner but Ards scrambled the striker’s downward header off the line.