Wakehurst’s wait for win goes on after defeat by Banbridge

The Ballymena side have endured a stop-start Belfats Telegraph Championship Two campaign and are still waiting for their first league win of 2014 after surrending a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 at home to Banbridge Town on Saturday.

“We collapsed again in the second half after having looked fairly comfortable at 2-0,” admitted Gregg.

“We looked to be in control of the game but we’re suffering at the minute from a bit of a fear factor, confidence-wise, when other teams put us under pressure.

“We are going to have to accept that this has been a season of transition and start our preparations for next year,” added Gregg, who handed a debut to teenage goalkeeper Jonathan Curry, after regular stopper Macauley Cairns was transferred back to Ballymena United.

A blistering start from Wakehurst saw them go two goals up after 23 minutes at Mill Meadow.

Conor Gregg was proving to be a constant menace to the visitors’ rearguard, and after he had broken clear in the fifth minute, he was brought down inside the box by Stephen Grone.

Mark Crawford stepped up and tucked away the resultant penalty.

Gregg was at it again in the 23rd minute, latching onto a Crawford pass and despite being surrounded by three defenders, he was still able to find the corner of the net to put his side in a seemingly comfortable position at that stage in the match.

However, the half-time interval revitalised Banbridge, and they had completely turned the game on its head by the 75th minute with four goals in a 22-minute spell.

Wakehurst: R Curry, C Ross, D Gage, D Stevenson, G Dickey, G Gilmore, M Crawford, R Young, C Gregg, J Paul, R Gregg. Subs: D Kirkwood, L McCaughern, A Laughlin, D Parker, J Moore.

WAKEHURST QUIZ

The Wakehurst Annual Quiz takes place this Friday night, 7th February 2014 in the Ballymena Rugby Club at 7-30pm.

Top Prize is £500 for the winning team and, as usual, a maximum of six members per team is permissible.

The Club sends invitations to all those teams who have supported this venture in previous years, and also welcomes any new teams to take part in what is always a competitive and enjoyable occasion.

Teams can register on the night or by contacting any Committee member during the week.