Dowds’s late double strike edges Banbridge past Pembroke

Stephen Dowds’s twin strikes in the closing five minutes saw Banbridge inflict even more pain on Pembroke on Saturday evening, as they fell to a third loss from four outings in the EY Hockey League.

It earned Bann a 3-2 victory that looked unlikely after Alan Sothern had given the Dublin side the lead with just over 10 minutes remaining. But the Irish international showed his prowess from the set piece to rocket home the two chances.

Second place

The victory lifts the Co Down side to a three-way share of second place in the table. Pembroke would have expected to be in and around the same area in the table, having added internationals Sothern,

Kirk Shimmins

and

Jason Lynch

to their ranks this season, but have yet to find their mojo.

Elsewhere, the two remaining unbeaten records fell as Monkstown were held to a scoreless tie at Grange Road against Three Rock Rovers, while Cork C of I lost 4-2 to Lisnagarvey.

For Town, the point moves them one ahead of the chasing pack. Garvey join C of I on nine points after four rounds of matches as their early blitz saw off the Garryduff side.

Andy Williamson, Timmy Cockram and Daniel Nelson built a 3-0 lead before the end of the first quarter and while C of I fought back, Seán Murray sealed the deal.

James Dick was the star at Steelweld Park as his four goals in the first half helped score a 7-3 win for Railway Union over Cookstown.

Glenanne moved off the bottom thanks to a 3-1 success against Annadale.