PSNI 3rds 0 v 8 Bangor 4ths

BANGOR CONTINUE ON THEIR MERRY WAY

Eight goals,  another two points and a victory that was as comfortably notched up as the 8-0 scoreline would indicate.  There were one or two variables to contend with. The PSNI second string provided three quarters of the playing personnel for their thirds and it was patently obvious within ten minutes that Bangor were to have the upper hand. To their credit the home side maintained a reasonable shape and ran gamely throughout but two matches in succession and the buoyancy of Bangor proved too much of a double handicap.

To all intents and purposes, the victory was achieved within ten minutes. In the second minute, from Bangors first short corner, Tweed neatly deflected in from Stranaghans strike. Five minutes later it was 2-0, Watterman having the simplest of conversions after Wilson had slalomed his way into the circle before nudging left to the goalscorer. Within another clutch of minutes it was three – Richard Parker converting following a sweeping move involving Cooke, debutant Murray and Wilson.

There then ensued a period of relative calm. The home side lacked the urgency to unduly trouble the Bangor rearguard and at a near somnabulistic pace at times, Bangor moved forward and  created both half and clear chances alike. Watterman  fumbled one effort before yet another debutant , Gareth Kelly, controlled neatly before slipping to Tweed for the simplest of tap-ins. By half time it was 5-0, Dornan initiating a move on the left which culminated in Parker following up on an initial effort from Watterson to shoot emphatically home.

As the second half progressed the younger, and indeed more feisty mid field of Bangor began to exert more pressure.  Their running and prompting was more incisive and twice the home keeper called upon to make notable saves.  However after ten minutes  of the half, he could do little to prevent another goal, a short corner switch deceiving all to leave a relatively straight forward conversion for Parker to complete a well deserved hat-trick.

 Smyth , in the Bangor goal, was by way of contrast, rarely called to either kick of move in anger. A brace of speculative shots required no actual physical intervention whilst the one direct shot on target he had to deal with was efficiently despatched ta the nearest corner flag.

In the final ten minutes, Bangor confirmed their superiority with a further two goals. Number seven was arguably the sweetest of all. Shields collected from Brennan and slipped to Dornan. Then Cooke fed Tweed who changed the angle of play to free Wilson on the left. Progressing towards the circle, Wilson, in one smooth movement controlled the ball and then flicked adroitly into the corner from a relatively acute angle. Five minutes later , it was eight, Murray nudging home following a strong run from Cooke 

All in all , a business like performance, but there will be sterner obstacles to surmount.

Mon of the Match – Richard Parker.

Many thanks to Mark Dornan for umpiring.