Bangor 4ths 1 v 2 Cliftonville 2nds

The vagaries of weather that offered up four seasons in two halves neatly encapsulated the unpredictability of the Fourths recent form. Promoted two weeks ago, following a belligerent performance against an always obdurate Down, here was the chance to secure a final two points and ensure that Kilkeel had to win their final fixture to actually win the league. Incentive enough, one would have thought.

Opponents Cliftonville travelled with a little baggage of their own too however. The same two points for them meant security – indeed even one would have forced a relegation play off. In the early exchanges there was little sign of urgency however.

Bangor were the quicker to settle, the ball being nudged around with relative precision. Shields and Stranaghan  provided a solid platform with Scott and Parker prompting from midfield.  The front trio of Wilson , Hamill and Harper were a trifle too focussed on their own particular furrows which allowed for width but not much by way of interchange to trouble the visiting defence. Yet their directness was almost rewarded when Hamill broke free and squared for Harper. The shot was accurate, but the keepers positioning was as well.

Two short corners were earned, from one of which Stranaghan fairly pinged one effort low to the keepers right. The ball was deflected wide. Cliftonville were by no means idle in these opening fifteen minutes. Indeed, their tenacity was such that they began to exert influence on the midfield ping pong of passing. Their need for points was increasingly reflected in their endeavour as they were consistently first to the majority of ball. And then they scored. Following a short corner effort which was parried by Stewart, an alert forward was on hand to sweep home.

Bangor, in  fairness , responded well up until the break. First, Harper deflected a rasping drive from Stranaghan high into the net. Then Hamill narrowly missed from an over acute angle. And then it really ought to have been advantage. Burgess initiated the most fluent move of the game. Parker picked up on his pass and moved left. Wilson , collecting wide on the left, cut inside and found Harper. Harper, direct as always, burst forward to mid circle, enticed the keeper into a premature dive and then squared for Wilson. The goal was distinctly open and time aplenty was available. Yet for some bizarre reason Wilson, reflecting on some obscure philosophical theory of Wittgenstein perhaps or the merits of integrated education, attempted to stop the ball when a sound sweep was more advisable. Suffice to say that the chance was gone long before the embarrassment.

Parity at half time , with Bangor perhaps marginally in the ascendancy. From the opening whistle of the second half the home side however seemed immersed in a virtual swirling fog. There was little crispness about their play.

Possession was too often squandered with errant passes upsetting forward momentum and as the half progresses there was a pronounced shift in emphasis. Cliftonville were the more forceful, pushing forward with intent . Their play was more functional than fluid yet given the required outcome more appropriate to the circumstance. They created half chances and Stewart had to repel a number of efforts, kicking clear with efficiency. 

They did score however, capitalising on a degree of hesitancy in the home defence. Despite the ever-loudening exhortations of captain Shields , Bangor were unable to summon the necessary effort to draw level and the season culminated in a disappointing defeat.

Overall though, a relief to move out of Junior League 4 after 3 seasons of near misses.

Thanks to Luke Brennan and Derek Greer for umpiring.

Indeed , a warm thank you to all those who assisted with umpiring duties throughout the season.

Finally, congratulations to Richard Parker on being awarded the Player of the Season

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