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BANGOR TASTE DEFEAT AT LAST
The
enduring attraction of sport is that it embraces a continuum of
predictability and perverse logic. In the Junior League Four world of Davy
Shields' charges, both options were available on Saturday.
It was entirely predictable that Bangor would lose at some stage yet
somewhat quirkily it was to the team they should have played in the first
game of the season. A trip to the shale at Downpatrick is never an easy
one and, given the visitors barnstorming start to the season, the home
side had an added incentive to maintain their 100 per cent home record.
Yet, the rain actually contributed to a more forgiving surface and the
clouds overhead were not the oppressive blanket that had escorted Bangor
on their short journey south. However, the home side did demonstrate a
greater degree of comfort with the surface. Their hitting and stopping was
more efficient and their progress forward more direct.
The early exchanges were largely restricted to the midfield third, the
visiting trio of Dornan, Cooke and Parker preventing any incisive
prompting.
Down did enjoy territorial advantage in the first half, with Stewart being
the busier keeper. On a number of occasions he kicked well and was twice
called upon to make acrobatic leaps to deflect wide. As for Bangor's
advances. Well, they tended to be a trifle elaborate. Yes, progress was
made, particularly on the right but the surface demanded a more direct
release from wider angles.
Half time and no goals to report. The team talk was as measured as
Bangor's first half display had been, but would more of the same serve
them so well?
For some twenty minutes, Bangor moved forward in purposeful wave after
wave. Wilson, darting around like a Duracell bunny on overdrive, proved a
minor irritant to the home defence with Watterson and Kelly benefitting
from the extra space. A clutch of short corners were won, but the final
shot was frustratingly absent. Following a fluid move on the right, Parker
narrowly failed to connect from mid circle.
Then Wilson, from a decidedly acute angle, deflected a rasping pass from
Stranaghan narrowly wide.
And then the fickle hand of Lady Fortune decided to intervene. Down broke
on the left. An accurate, long pass found a forward at the head of the
circle and his turn and shot were precise.
Suitably piqued by the injustice of it all, Bangor pushed forward with
renewed vigour in the final ten minutes. Yet no clear chances were created
and Bangor saw their first lost points of the season disappear with the
fading light.
Man of the Match was Gareth Kelly and many thanks to Mark Russell for
travelling to umpire. |