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Bangor started the New Year in the best
possible way by beating league rivals Civil Service 2-0 with a controlled,
if not exhilarating, display.
Two first half goals and some quality defending for a rare clean sheet
ensured Bangor leapfrog Civil Service in the league and move up to sixth
in the table.
With games against Banbridge and Instonians in the next two weeks meaning
points are a realistic possibility they must surely be aiming to move up
to at least fifth in the table.
Bangor have enjoyed some nip and tuck games against Civil Service over the
years but this was probably their most comfortable win over their
neighbours for some time.
Despite being away from home, Bangor dominated the opening exchanges in
both possession and territory, creating the first chances, winning the
first penalty corner and ultimately opening the scoring.
After Mark Daniel had gone close from both open play and a set-piece Civil
Service reminded Bangor of the threat they carry when they struck the foot
of John Tormey's post in a rare venture upfield.
But it was the Seasiders who scored first when Adam Reading tired of
seeing the forwards make a hash of their chances and carved out a golden
opportunity for Jamie McAuley. Reading drove into the inside right of the
circle and despite several robust challenges, skilfully carried on, with
the umpire giving advantage, and squared the ball for McAuley to slide it
underneath the diving Civil Service goalkeeper.
This gave Bangor more confidence and they entered their best period of the
game. The defence looked more secure than before, the midfield worked
their socks off and the forwards were stretching Civil Service at every
opportunity. Despite their dominance they only added one more goal before
half-time.
The energetic Chris Campbell embarked on one of his mazy runs from 30
yards out and shrugged off several vicious tackles, again with the aid of
good umpiring advantage, and fired home to make it 2-0.
The second half proved a stop-start affair with Bangor comfortable to hit
Civil Service on the counter-attack and the home side never really
stretching the Seasiders' defence. Tormey, in the Bangor goal, was never
truly tested as Gareth Kidd and his fellow defenders appeared determined
to hold onto that rare clean sheet.
Bangor did force some chances at the other end with Bill Clarke, Reading
and Campbell all going close.
Civil Service's last chance appeared to ebb away when their centre forward
Aaron Gill was sent off for a bad stick tackle and then a foul-mouthed
tirade in the direction of the umpire. While he sat 15 minutes in the
sin-bin Bangor took the sting out of their opponents and assured that upon
his return there was no way back into the game for Civil Service.
Bangor must now build on this good win. With Banbridge and Instonians to
come and then two league games against strugglers North Down and the
return against Civil Service there are many points to play for and they
could rocket up the league. Especially with other teams losing players to
Irish commitments in the coming weeks.
The opportunity is there, it is just up to Johnny Todd and his squad to
seize it. |