Instonians 4ths 0 v 2 Bangor 4ths

SEVEN IN A ROW FOR BANGOR

And so it goes. Ultimately where it is going no-one knows but D.Shields charges are making a fair fist of forging their own immediate future. This 2-0 victory over their Instonians counterparts was ground out in a manner quite different from the exuberant swish of previous performances this season, but a victory it was nonetheless.

Expectancy of victory can be as dangerous a cloak to be wrapped in as fear of defeat, but there is limited sign of complacency here. The opening exchanges at Queens on Friday were fairly even – play being mainly coordinated through somewhat narrow midfield channels. The home side were, if anything, the more tidy. Their midfield was quick to the tackle and accurate in distribution. Yet it was the home keeper who was first called into urgent action. Twice he prevented Bangor from opening the scoring. A splendid parry from a typically venomous strike by Stranaghan was then followed by an excellent double save from Wilsons initial shot and a Kelly follow up. Indeed it was Wilson who really ought to have opened the Bangor account. A sweeping move saw him receive wide on the left from a Parker pass. The advance into the circle was purposeful, the shot less so.

Shortly after Stewart in the Bangor was forced to repel advances in anger. His kicking was astute and his speed of the line commendable. Thrice he thwarted Instonian forwards from short corners a swell as sprinting off his line to divert a ball wide.

Half time then, with honours even. Initially in the second period it was more of the same. The home side were marginally the more fluent but the speed and directness of Bangor forwards Harper and Murray created more obvious openings. Wilson, following a direct dart mid circle, could not generate enough height to beat the keeper whilst Harper had one shot saved and another deflected wide by a defenders stick.

And then , one of those defining moments. It seemed as if Instonians were to punish Bangor for their profligacy. A move on the right saw Stewart save low to his left. As he lay prostrate, another Instonians forward pushed towards goal. It was firm enough and on target but as it arrives at the line, P.McCalister appeared in a balletic flurry of legs and stick to deflect wide. On the reverse side too.

Sure enough, true to the vagaries of sporting logic, Bangor promptly proceeded to attack and score. Dornan, efficient throughout, initiated a move on the left. Cooke nudged on to Harper who then slipped to L.Brennan. The latter did not hesitate , neatly redirecting the ball into the far corner of the goal. Suitably piqued by the injustice of it all , Instonians came forward in pursuit of parity. Garland, N.Breenan and Shields were resolute in their resistance and indeed it was Bangor who confirmed the points with three minutes remaining, Harper following up after initial Parker effort.

Man of the Match- P.McCalister

Many thanks to John McCalister for travelling to umpire