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The fourths continued
their winning start to the season with another resounding 7-3 victory over
South Antrim. Whilst it is another win the score line does not reflect the
closeness of the result as South Antrim failed to take a number of chances
at key times in the match.
The match started at a fast pace with Bangor struggling initially to come
to terms with the strong running South Antrim forwards and midfielders but
ffter a sustained period of pressure by Bangor a move on the right with
Burgess and Murray creating an opening which resulted in the award of a
short corner. From this corner Stranaghan fairly rattled the backboards
for Bangor's opening goal and his fourth of the season.
Bangor were now really beginning to exert control on the game and they
gained the lead with a sweeping move involving Stranaghan, Garland, Dornan
and Parker on the left creating an opening for Ferguson who tucked the
ball neatly past the South Antrim keeper.
At this point Bangor were dominating play and only for some stout
goalkeeping the score line could have doubled. Indeed Stranaghan, as he
has done all season, fairly pummelled the goalkeeper at short corners but
a mixture of luck and bravery resulted in no further goals.
South Antrim still continued to threaten on the break and a combination of
last ditch tackling and poor finishing resulted in Bangor maintaining
their two goal advantage. Indeed from a South Antrim attack Cook
dispossessed his man and a strong run from the opposition 25 saw him beat
three defenders and slot the ball past the South Antrim keeper. At this
point Bangor were comfortably in control but a lapse in concentration saw
South Antrim gain a short corner which was struck venomously into the left
corner. Half time arrived with Bangor 3-1 in front.
The second half started poorly for Bangor who still seemed to have trouble
picking up the fast running South Antrim attackers. Indeed only for an
expert save from Smyth in the Bangor goal the score line would have taken
on a different complexion. But as they have shown all season Bangor broke
quickly from defence and incisive passing on the left of midfield released
Parker in mid-circle who coolly slotted past the keeper for a 4-1
advantage.
The fifth goal was created and scored by Luke Brennan when he picked the
ball up on the half way line and ran past two defenders, rounded the goal
keeper and slotted home from an acute angle for an excellent goal.
The sixth goal came after another fine move on the left of midfield
involving Dornan and Parker who fired a fine pass to Ferguson who again
calmly slotted pat the advancing keeper.
At this point Bangor were totally dominant and eased off and allowed South
Antrim to score a soft goal after hesitant play in defence. Play then
became scrappy from Bangor for 10 minutes as possession was needlessly
given away with over elaborate passes.
Then with 10 minutes to go a break from defence from Garland resulted in
him running the length of the pitch switching passes with Parker, Ferguson
and Dornan before shooting home on the reverse. In the final minutes South
Antrim won another short corner and scored their third goal.
Overall a satisfactory performance. It is imperative that the team
continue to focus on each match and not become complacent. Whilst it is
another win the team must focus and play for the full seventy minutes and
not switch off when the result seems to be assured. This is important for
the coming weeks when we will be playing some of the teams challenging us
at the top of the table.
Man of the match was Glenn Stranaghan who has played consistently all
season. |