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On Saturday Bangor fourths
returned to the league campaign after the previous week's mauling in the
Junior Shield.
It was imperative that they return to winning ways to maintain the
pressure on their rivals at the top of the league. Unlike in the previous
week the team did not disappoint and ran out 4-3 winners over Parkview on
the day.
The game started well for Bangor with the team responding well to the
captain's call for a more positive and focused attitude throughout the
team. The first chance of the match fell to Kelly who shot wide when well
placed.
Parkview at this stage were trying to catch the Bangor defence on the
counter attack and a hopeful ball into the circle resulted in a short
corner. The resultant shot gave debutant McEvoy no chance in the Bangor
goal.
Unlike the previous week this spurred Bangor on and for the rest of the
half they dominated the Parkview team. The midfield trio of Murray,
Brennan and Parker were in rampaging form and their opposite numbers could
not cope with the speed and tenacity of their play. From a good pass from
Brennan a ball to the far post found Murray in space and he needed no
second chance to restore parity.
Bangor continued to press forward and a series of short corners produced
some excellent saves from the Parkview goalkeeper. However, he was unable
to stop one of the shots and only a defender's foot on the line stopped
Bangor taking the lead. From the resulting penalty stroke Brennan put
Bangor ahead.
At this stage Bangor were in the ascendancy and good attacking play down
both flanks produced more chances and Watterson might have increased the
Bangor advantage but for another good point blank save from the Parkview
goalie.
The half started again with Bangor on the attack and once again
threatening the Parkview goal. Parkview were limited to the odd counter
attack and from one of these again won a short corner which was expertly
flicked high into the goal to restore parity.
This rocked Bangor for a while and the team had to defend for a time but
Douglas, Garland and Ferguson coped easily with their attackers. Bangor
began to again exert pressure on the Parkview circle and from a melee in
the circle Harper tucked a simple chance away to regain the lead.
At this point Bangor were trying long balls into the Parkview circle to
try and seal the win. However the decisive goal came again from another
excellent attack down the right when a good pass from Campbell found
Harper in the circle and he shot past the goalkeeper to increase Bangor's
advantage. Parkview scored another short corner at the final whistle to
leave the score line 4-3 in Bangor’s favour.
A good display from Bangor after the result the previous week. The team
need to continue to concentrate on moving the ball quickly and early and
focus for the full 70 minutes. Thanks to Tim Campbell for umpiring and man
of the match was Simon Murray.
Next Saturday the team play their rivals Instonians in a top of the table
clash. This will be a hard fought game against a team that have a number
of excellent players who will compete fully to the final whistle.
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