|
On the final Saturday
of 2005 the fourths continued to struggle to recapture the form that had
taken them to nine consecutive wins during October and November.
In a hard fought contest they drew 2-2 against a competitive Raphoe side.
The match started at a fast pace with both sides trying to exert their
influence on the match. It was Bangor who had the first chance of the
match but a poor pass on the right failed to find an unmarked Watterson at
the back post.
This seemed to spur Bangor on and as in previous games they began to move
the ball at pace and this was causing problems in the Raphoe defence. A
sustained period of pressure from Bangor had the Raphoe defence
back-peddling on a number of occasions but through misfortune or poor
passing Bangor were unable to convert their chances.
Indeed on a number of occasions due to poor marking Raphoe were able to
break away and cause some anxious moments in the Bangor defence. From one
such attack excellent goalkeeping from Stewart when he was exposed with a
one on one with the Raphoe centre forward resulted in the game remaining
scoreless. All in all the Bangor defence of Stewart, Stranaghan, Burgess
and Garland coped well with the Raphoe attack.
Half time arrived with the game still scoreless.
The second half began with both sides still trying to establish a strangle
hold on the game and play for the first 10 minutes was confined mainly to
the centre of the pitch. However, after good work on the right involving
Cook, Brennan and Campbell they won a short corner. Up stepped Stranaghan
who struck the ball sweetly and although the goalkeeper managed to get his
feet to the shot he was unable to keep it from entering the net. This
seemed to spur Bangor on and they began to dominate the game with the
midfield trio of Cook, Brennan and Parker looking especially dangerous.
After a well constructed move down the left involving Parker and Ferguson
another short corner was awarded and again Stranaghan found the net with a
well struck shot. This should have resulted in Bangor finishing the game
and not allowing Raphoe a foot hold in the game.
However, the game became more physical and play was now confined to the
Bangor half and inevitably Raphoe scored from a short corner to give them
hope. With seven minutes remaining they equalised when a free on the right
found an attacker unmarked in the circle and he shot past an unsighted
Stewart. Bangor had a final chance to win the game but Stranaghan's effort
from a short corner was just too high and deemed dangerous.
Overall another disappointing result with a point thrown away. It is
imperative that the team continue to focus and play for the full 70
minutes and not switch off when the result seems to be assured. This is
important for the coming weeks when they will be playing some of the teams
challenging at the top of the table.
Man of the match was Luke Brennan who played very well in centre midfield. |