The hardest fixture in amateur sport is an
inter-club cup tie and that's exactly what happened when the seconds and
thirds were pitted together in the McClements Cup last weekend.
Last Saturday afternoon the much awaited fixture took place, and it was a
credit to everyone involved that the fixture was played in a sporting and
competitive manner, epitomising the great comradeship and spirit there is
throughout Bangor Men's Hockey Club.
The 3-1 victory carved out by the seconds was probably the right result,
but the highlight of the afternoon was afterwards when most of the players
stayed on to watch the firsts' superb performance against Banbridge.
How difficult it was to play this competitive inter-club fixture cannot be
underestimated. The Stranaghan and McCausland brothers lined up on
opposite sides, whilst the young Brennan and Coughlin brothers were both
in the thirds' ranks.
Both sets of players know each other so well, and half the thirds were
lining out for the seconds due to injury, illness and unavailabilities.
The first half was scoreless, and the thirds it must be said, looked
relatively comfortable. A couple of Gowdy short corner flicks and a
Stranaghan snapshot, all of which failed to find the target, were as close
as the seconds came.
Some stern words at the interval, and a few positional changes thanks to
the onlooking Irwin, had an immediate impact. Within two minutes of the
restart, a short corner strike from Toogood was followed up by McMillan,
pouncing on the rebound and the seconds were in front.
The lead was soon doubled when Toogood found McNaught mid-circle, and when
he slipped it to Stranaghan the skipper scored through Irvine's legs.
The seconds by now were beginning to dominate possession but could not
make the most of some clearcut opportunities, and when the thirds scored
from a short corner 10 minutes from time a grandstand finish looked on.
This was thwarted a minute later when it was 3-1, McNaught again the
provider, this time for Scales who drilled home from the top of the
circle.
All in all a close contest, particularly in the first period. The thirds
can take much credit for their performance, and hopefully continue to
climb the Junior Two table. The seconds can now look forward to another
home match in the cup next month, and hope to up their level of
performance for the trip to Cookstown in the league this Saturday.
Particular mention to Patrick McCalister who made an impressive debut for
the seconds as a substitute in the second half, and to Simon Scales who
was man of the match. Thanks also to Timmy Campbell and Graeme Laird for
umpiring.
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