Bangor 4ths 2 v 2 North Down 3rds

Fourths Falter 

Thankfully, nothing is straightforward in sport. Just as a certain Mr. Harrison discovered on Saturday, sport can strip off the layers and reveal what defines someone .Our pugilist friend was naked pretty much before the ring of the bell in the fourth round. Whilst such a stark fate may not await the runaway leaders in Junior League,   the Fourths certainly have a softer underbelly to contemplate.

After a coruscating start to the season , three of the last four points have been conceded, the first defeat at Down last week being followed on Saturday by a draw at home to North Down 3rds. This indeed was the return of the seasons opening fixture when a youthful home side were firmly put in their youth place by  a more seasoned Bangor outfit. It was evident from early on that this was a different eleven altogether. The visiting midfield was littered with youthful legs but around them was a more mature assortment – the balance was more even. More so in fact that that of the home side , who had several personnel changes to deal with. Not that there was any discernible difference in the early exchanges, in that Bangor progressed with reasonable vigour on the flanks and created a brace of short corners which although on target, yielded no reward for Shields.

Harper was his usual direct self, debutant Mark Campbell and Luke Brennan showed admirable subtlety of touch on the flank and on three occasions Bangor broke with no little alacrity to threaten the visitors goal. Indeed , Bangor did take the lead, McCalister following up on an initial Shields short corner to shoot home.

Yet there were inklings of the ominous evident. At times the gap between the midfield and forwards  was a little too pronounced. Possession was too easily squandered when moving forward and although Bangor enjoyed marginal territorial advantage, there was an edge to the visitors attacks which eventually brought reward.

An incisive counter attack left the Bangor rearguard exposed and half time arrived with the score at  one goal apiece.

For the opening 20 minutes of the second period, Bangor, notwithstanding the influx of new personnel, began to find  a more concentrated groove. Dornan, Cooke and Parker prompted several forays as the passing became both more accurate and speedy.

Garland, the epitome of industry on the left was linking well with Wilson. The latter indeed , was in one of more belligerent moods, skipping along the touchline with  a feint of foot which would have served many a footsoldier  well when confronted with the raging hordes of Genghis Khan with toothache. Yet for all the pressing, it was the more direct approach which saw Bangor regain the lead.

Cook earned a short corner with a neat run close to the line and from the short, Shields returned the ball from whence it came to allow McCalister to slot home from a tight angle.

The home side did consolidate, affording N.Down little by way of clear opportunity. But the visitors were persistent in their pressing. Stewart, agile as always, was called upon to confront lone forwards at the head of the circle.  He did so with calm efficiency , but with ten minutes to go he  was left somewhat isolated just once too often. A swift break on the left culminated in the ball being switched quickly and precisely to the right – Stewart made to advance but the strike was early and accurate.

Parity then as the whistle blew and all in all, a fair result.

Final Result

Bangor Fourths    -- 2

N.Down Thirds     - 2

Man of the Match – P.McCalister

Many thanks to G.Laird for umpiring.