Cookstown 3rds 3 v 0 Bangor 3rds

THIRDS SUFFER DEFEAT ON THE ROAD

On Saturday Bangor 3XI made the long journey to Cookstown to face their 3XI. With the opposition above them in the league, Bangor knew it would be difficult.  Bangor started brightly with Parker controlling midfield,  and Coughlin marshalling the defence superbly. Bangor were camped in the Cookstown half for much of the first period with good movement from the full backs finding space but still found time to hand an early Christmas present. A quick counter attack left a two on one against the Bangor captain and he had no chance as Cookstown scored what can only be described as a soft goal. This only spurred Bangor on who continued to dominate the half with out creating any real clear cut changes.

            At half time, Bangor regrouped and their attacks in the second half were penetrating the cookstown defence, with Lyall torturing the left back. Bangor were playing the best hockey of their season, limiting Cookstown to brief counter attacks which the Bangor defence managed easily.

  With ten minutes left Bangor won their first short corner, a well worked move was almost converted by McIlhagga, unfortunately he was denied by the side netting. With luck against Bangor, Cookstown ventured up the pitch to gain a short corner of their own. They took their chance well but the defence will have to admit that it was another soft goal. All credit to Bangor, they continued to play their hockey trying to find a way back into the game, attacking at every opportunity.  Sadly this left gaping holes at the back, which let Cookstown score again. It could have been worse for Bangor, but when a Cookstown effort from a short corner was deflected, looping towards the top right hand corner, Coughlin once again came to the rescue with an amazing clearance off the line which drew applause from the Cookstown players. A McCausland also made a goal line clearance.

            Although Bangor lost, their were a lot of positives to take forward from the game most noticibly the passing and movement, and the return to form of Michael Claney, who made several notable tackles, and Richard McMillan, who won the man of the match award by a single vote from Coughlin.

            Many thanks to Andrew McIlhagga, Patrick McMillen and Michael Coughlin for driving.