Bangor 2nds 3 v 2 Cookstown 2nds

SECONDS TAKE POINTS IN CLOSE CONTEST

The seconds hosted Cookstown seconds at Ballykillare last Saturday afternoon, running out 3-2 victors after an entertaining contest.  The home side started the game particularly poorly with little purpose to their play, and they were duly punished when Cookstown took the lead midway through the half from a short corner following some poor defence in the home circle.  Soon after, and following the intoduction of McAuley, the Bangor side began to impose themselves.  Indeed the equaliser which came just before the half was a goal that epitomised the concept of simple passing hockey.  McAuley picked the ball up on his own 25, traded passes with Scales, then picked out the onrushing Stranaghan on the Cookstown 25, the skipper controlled on the reverse and threaded a pass to Clarke who despatched first time past the Cookstown goalie.  The home side were now beginning to control proceedings, but the score remained 1-1 at the interval thanks to Wilson in the visitors goal who again thwarted Clarke and Stranaghan from close range.

The second period began at the same tempo, and just 5 minutes in it was 2-1 to Bangor when Stranaghan slipped the ball home following another foraging run from Macafee.  This goal though seemed to rejuvenate the Cookstown lads and for the next 20 minutes or so it was they who dominated.  Numerous short corners were gained but the home defence held firm, but they were eventually beaten by a tremendous solo run and finish by one of the youngsters in the visitors ranks.  The Bangor winner came just 8 minutes from time when a Clarke cross found Stranaghan mid circle, who swivelled and his effort was heading wide of the goalie’s right post, but there was Macafee right on cue a yard out to notch home and clinch the points.  All in all, Cookstown will have felt hard done by in travelling home with nothing as they certainly had enough chances in the game.  However, full credit to the seconds who whilst riding their luck at times, never gave up and in the end earned the 2 points.

Ricky McMillan was voted player of the match following a solid performance in his first full game at this level.  Many thanks to Graeme Laird and Andrew Gowdy for umpiring.

Team:  Thompson, McConkey, McCausland A., McCausland P., McMillen, Cox, McAuley, Scales, Macafee, Clarke, McNaught, Stranaghan.