GOALS from Emily Adamson and Evie Girvan earned Portadown a 2-0 home win over bottom club Banbridge to narrow the gap at the top of the Legacy Wealth Ulster Premier hockey league.
Ports are now just three points behind leaders and reigning champions Queen’s with both having two games left to play.
Queen’s enjoy a healthier goal difference of plus five so the challengers must win their remaining games, both away, and hope for a slip by their rivals for the title.
Banbridge, with just one point from their previous 17 games, arrived at Edenvilla with a game plan to frustrate Portadown and it worked effectively for long spells.
But the breakthrough eventually came when Beth Harper hit a hopeful ball into the circle and Emily Adamson promptly dispatched the bobbling ball into the net.
Despite a couple of near-misses, Portadown were struggling to add to their tally.
But they stuck to their task, kept up the pressure and were eventually rewarded in the final quarter. After great work from Katie Herron and Emily Adamson, Lara Wilson executed a great spin and Evie Girvan anticipated and finished for the Ports’ second and last home league goal of the season.
Portadown (in blue) v Banbridge action
Pictures by IVOR LENNON
