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Bangor fifths
avenged last year's quarter final Minor Cup exit in the best possible way
on Saturday, beating the team who put them out, Civil Service fifths.
This was not the only reason that
the victory was so sweet; the win has almost certainly promoted Bangor for
the third consecutive season, and has severely dented their Stormont
rivals chances of Junior Four hockey next year.
Although gravel is not the preferred
surface for Bangor's fast style, the fifths have pulled off some great
results on such away trips. Things did not start too well as although
having most pressure in the early stages Bangor conceded from a short, the
quickly taken shot going in off unlucky Dale Kirkpatrick's foot.
Michael Ferguson had scored four for
the sixths on the same pitch a week before, and it was not long before he
continued his good form, good work from Espey brought a shot from Harper
that was followed by a goalmouth scramble which saw the powerful forward
grab the equaliser.
Then minutes before the break Matty
Neill-McCready blasted a free hit into the area and Gerry Hamill continued
his impressive scoring streak, neatly deflecting the ball home.
Niall McEvoy had to make an
important save to keep the slender lead going into the break.
The score at half-time was 2-1 and
some of the fifths' drive was questioned; did they want this victory
enough? It seemed so, two quick goals killed Service's spirit, firstly
Ferguson grabbed his second from another McCready ball, coolly slotting
home past the keeper.
Then the ever industrious Paul Scott
decided he wanted in on the action and scored a typical roving midfielders
goal making it 4-1.
Good defensive work from Stevenson,
Douglas and Robin McCready were keeping the Service forwards at bay, when
the flair of Warren Reid and Simon Murray set up more chances for Harper
and Togneri. Service scored a few late goals which left a score line that
flattered their performance slightly. One point from the mighty fifths
last two games should see them win back to back league titles.
A three way tie for man of the
match, Al Stevenson, Paul Scott and Robin McCready the top performers. |