Bangor 1 v 3 Annadale

BANGOR LOSE IN KIRK CUP REHERSAL

Despite taking a first half lead Bangor could do nothing to halt reigning champions Annadale's 100 per cent league record this season when the sides met on Saturday.
Annadale bounced back straight away to equalise and added two more in the second half, eventually winning 3-1, as Bangor again pushed a top side but failed to take anything from the game.
The Seasiders can, however, take heart from a disciplined, organised performance that ensured Annadale never got away from them. With a little more luck when 2-1 down Bangor could possibly have sneaked a point from the game.
Coach Johnny Todd missed the game because he was away at a spa weekend and former gaffer Brian Davis stepped into his old role for the game. He asked for the maximum effort from his players and although he received it, Annadale had just a little bit more in their locker.
The first half was an end to end affair with both sides creating pressure early on without really testing either goalkeeper. Annadale had the slightly the better of the action but as Bangor's confidence grew they started to get a lot of joy down the right wing from Chris Campbell and Simon Hunter. Mark Daniel was also a constant thorn in the Annadale defence with his pacy dribbling.
So it was fitting that Bangor took the lead on 30 minutes and that Daniel grabbed the goal. His low flick from Bangor's second penalty corner beat goalkeeper Johnny Moore all ends up.
But the lead did not last as the league champions showed their character and got back on level terms before the break. Neil Hamilton did well at the top of the circle and the ball squirted out to Paul Jackson who was on hand to turn it past goalkeeper John Tormey.
Being level with Annadale at half time was a comfortable enough position for Bangor to be in but the last thing they wanted to do was concede straight away after the restart. This proved the case when an Annadale penalty corner was well saved on the line by Gareth Kidd but the rebound then fell to David Robb who had the easy task of tapping in.
The second half then became a little bit niggly as a few cautions were handed out for determined challenges, particularly in midfield. Bangor more than matched Annadale, in both play and the niggle, but couldn't find a way through a well marshalled defence to find an elusive equaliser.
As Bangor committed more and more men forward Annadale had more opportunities on the counter attack and one double save from captain Tormey was as good as any ever seen at Ballykillare. Bangor's only real sniff of a goal was when Gareth Morton had the ball in the net but was deemed to have lifted it dangerously in the circle.
In the final few minutes Annadale grabbed a flattering third goal through John McDermott. Dowie Holley, who had another superb game in the centre of the pitch, slipped while turning and let Irish international Iain Lewers through and he found McDermott at the back post for an easy tap-in.
This week Bangor travel to Lisnagarvey's state-of-the-art facilities in Hillsborough for an Anderson Cup game mindful that a good start needs to be made in a very tough group.