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The
seconds made the trip to Cookstown last Saturday for what is always a
difficult away league fixture, however, a polished performance resulted in
an impressive 6-1 victory against last season's Corporate Coaching Junior
League One champions.
The Bangor side made the perfect start when after just 48 seconds Bill
Clarke put them in front when he deftly turned home a pass from the
industrious Fleming.
The lead was doubled in the 15th minute when some quick thinking from
McNaught on the right saw him find Gowdy at the top of the circle with a
pinpoint pass. Gowdy controlled, and despatched past a hapless Wilson in
the home goal.
Soon after it was 3-0 when Clarke scored his second from a short corner
variation. Despite the scoreline it was not all one way traffic. The home
side were creating opportunities, and on a few occasions Thompson was
called upon to keep the seconds in the ascendancy.
The beginning of the second period was predictable in that Cookstown were
eager to force their way back into the contest and were pushing more men
forward. They made it 3-1 just eight minutes in and a possible fightback
looked on.
This Bangor side are a resolute bunch, however, and they maintained their
gameplan and concentration, and duly went on to win the game. The fifth
goal was always going to be an important one, and it was the visitors who
got it when Clarke claimed his hattrick. Another passing move on the right
side resulted in the ball being worked in to mid circle, where Clarke was
on hand to turn home.
The seconds added another two goals soon after, first from Macafee, who
was tireless throughout, following another right-sided move involving
McMillen, Scales and McNaught. Then McNaught got on the scoresheet himself
with a rasping strike when the home defence failed to close him down.
A superb result and performance for the seconds as every player played his
part and on the day everything seemed to fall into place for the team. Man
of the match was John Toogood.
Not very often has a Bangor side returned from Cookstown with a 6-1 win,
and it was particularly satisfying in that the corresponding fixture last
season was a 7-1 defeat, but the team must not rest on its laurels. Some
difficult fixtures lie ahead in the coming weeks, starting with the
McClements Cup tie against South Antrim in Bangor this Saturday
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