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Just three weeks ago as
the old year ran down Bangor fell three-nil behind to Cookstown at
Ballykillaire in a must win Anderson Cup game. Coming as it did after an
insipid display against Cork Harlequins in the Irish Senior Cup there was
much to concern the Ballykillaire faithful, yet half an hour later as
Jervis Fleming's wholehearted goal celebrations were in full flow a draw
had been salvaged.
This new resolve manifested itself in a well earned win at Stormont on
January 14 and now this impressive display at home to high-flying
Banbridge. The visitors may have been without teenage striker Eugene
Magee, on Irish duty in South Africa, but the manner of their defeat
brooks no excuses. Bangor's preparations had taken a significant
knock when their captain John Tormey was unavailable owing to the death of
his grandmother and we all wish to extend our sincere condolences to him
and the family circle.
Stand-in Robin Thompson gave a faultless display though he will be the
first to mention that for long periods he was a virtual spectator so
efficient were the endeavours of his defence. Furthermore with the
midfield of Dowie Holley, Chris Campbell and Nicky Blease winning their
battle hands down the game was generally contested in the Banbridge half
save for the last 15 minutes.
With Jeremy Macafee and Bill Clarke both unavailable Bangor's bench was
lighter than usual but this provided the chance for Simon Cox to obtain a
first taste on Premier League Hockey. However, the starting eleven,
together with Gareth Morton and Ricky McMillen saw to it that a clear-cut
and memorable win was achieved.
Having opted to play with the sun Banbridge were almost caught napping
from the hit off when clever Bangor inter-passing cut a swathe through the
heart of their defence. This start proved to be nothing of a flash in the
pan as Bangor controlled the ball for long periods and should have gone
ahead after 10 minutes when Jamie McAuley couldn't convert from close in
with the defenders all at sea. The opening goal was not long delayed for
Simon Hunter despatched a crisp low shot past Lennox following good work
by Mark Daniel and a superb pass from Blease.
Bangor's Achilles heel is often exposed just after they score but on this
bright day they were back on the attack straight away. Midway through the
half Mark Daniel despatched their first penalty corner, given away by
verbal indiscretion from the visitors, and it required a memorable save by
Lennox from Adam Reading at Bangor's next corner to prevent the lead being
extended.
The sizeable home crowd were in fine voice as the half concluded with
Bangor still well on top in all departments.
Thoughts that the talented visitors would come back hard after the break
were on the mark. However, the new resolve in the Bangor ranks meant that
every ball was being contested no matter where on the pitch. This second
half did contain some bizarre sights not least two Jervis Fleming runs
down the Bangor right wing.
This was merely a symptom of the well improved support play which they
displayed. After 10 minutes of the second period Bangor extended their
lead; good work by Gareth Morton gained a further corner and Mark Daniel
was again on target rattling the back boards.
No matter how hard Banbridge pushed thereafter they made little headway
against their resolute opponents. Time after time Simon Magowan was
dispossessed by the vigilant Adam Reading who revelled in his stand-in
captaincy role. Gareth Kidd was magnificent at the back with his low
tackles and well directed aerial clearances. Fleming held the left touch
line while Michael Harte kept the left side of Bann’s defence pinned back.
Midfield held control for most of the game and supported the front runners
when possible. Daniel, Morton, McAuley and Hunter up front, in various
different combinations kept pushing Banbridge back and were all prepared
to do the hard running when the defence needed assistance.
Finally, Robin Thompson made several saves in the last quarter which
ensured that his goal was not only intact, but crucially Banbridge did not
even get close enough to win the penalty corners which so often lead to
their scores.
With half the league programme still to be played Bangor have many chances
to build on their fine start to the new year. After this display they
should realise that they can compete with every team in the Premier
League.
Instonians are next up this Saturday at Upper Malone. Considering Bangor
beat them in October and the Old Boys are without their two Irish
internationals at present, a third successive win is a distinct
possibility.
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