Bounceback-ability - When a team or person has the ability to bounce back from a comment or setback, be it personal or sport related.

 

This is a quality Bangor Fifths showed on Saturday at Ballyk against to might of Lisnagarvey Fifths. In what was clearly the match of the weekend in Ulster, the two giants of hockey were in attendance early to get warmed up for the coveted one o’clock slot.

 

The home team, Bangor were looking to get back to winning ways again, after suffering an away defeat the week before to Mossley fourths, a tough ask against a side that was tipped for Junior 5 glory at the start of the season. Undeterred by this daunting task, the mighty fifths (Bangor) set about their half lap warm up like the true professionals that they are.

Captain John Mitchell made his most telling contribution of the match and won the toss and took pass back, facing the town end as they attacked. The first five minutes of the encounter were even, Bangor were made aware of why ‘garvey sit in second place in the league just above them. The visitors were a young side who were very quick and were clearly capable of controlling the ball and stringing a few passes together, however the home side are just as capable and it became evident, that they were more determined, as the play gradually worked its way into the ‘garvey 25, it looked certain that Bangor were going to take the lead, and after Harper just couldn’t reach a cross to tap in at the back post, Murray used the bye line like it should be, he blazed away from his marker and dropped the pass to Glenn Watterson, who calmly slotted home to the crowds delight. 1-0 became 2-0 shortly after Harper bagging the goal. The ‘garvey keeper played very well and on numerous occasions kept out Bangor’s probing attacks. He could do nothing about Bangor’s third and Watterson’s second, great play from Ferguson on the left of midfield saw him switch the play right and at the end of this sweeping move big Glenn did the business. 3-0 at half time.

 

As thought, ‘garvey weren’t going to roll over and came flying out of the blocks in the second half. The tight defensive unit of Stevenson, McAlister, Neill-McCready and McCready were excellent in effectively stopping the onslaught of attacks, and efficiently distributing the ball to the eager midfield. McAlister was caught out once, showing his silky skills he lost the ball in the area and the forward snapped up the chance, scoring passed Stewart. The visitors were jubilant, but this did not last long, as Bangor woke up and decided to put the result beyond doubt, Harper deservedly grabbing his 10^th of the season.

 

Man of the Match went to the defensive rock that is Allan Stevenson. Thanks to Ryan Gayland for umpiring.