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Bangor fifths finished off
2005 with a tough 3-1 away win in Cookstown on New Years Eve.
The home team were kind in changing the start time from 4pm to 1pm to aid
the young league leaders in their preparations for the evening's
celebrations.
This was, however, the only bit of seasonal cheer the home team were to
bestow on the mighty fifths, as they were subject to a few rough
challenges in a fairly even match. The home side are sitting second bottom
in the league and are in danger of being dragged into a relegation
dogfight but if the strength of the team they fielded on Saturday is to be
their regular team they shouldn't have too many problems.
The game started with the home side pressuring Bangor testing McEvoy in
goal early on, a few quick counter-attacks were warnings that Cookstown
did not heed, as five minutes in Harper finished at the back post to give
Bangor the lead, after some good work from Murray, Scott and Calum Togneri.
Togneri almost extended the lead a minute later with a beautiful reverse
stick effort, which had Captain Mitchell celebrating, but it had hit the
top corner of the side netting. Another Togneri effort flew above the bar
before Harper added a second, after good work from Douglas and Ferguson.
Two goals up at the break but far from comfortable.
A poor decision from the umpire gifted the home side a way back into the
game from a short corner. Goalkeeper Niall McEvoy was clearly not ready
with his back to play outside of the goal when the ball was pushed out,
Niall scrambled across goal to block the original shot but could not get
the rebound, 2-1 and the home team were delighted
Matty Neill McCready showed everybody how to do it properly two minutes
later. Togneri slapped the ball to Matty who jinked to his left skinning
the onrushing defender and absolutely smashing the ball passed a
goalkeeper who was most likely scared of the ferocious strike, Matty's
second for the fifths this season, and how he enjoyed it.
Dale Kirkpatrick, Allan Stevenson and Robin McCready then fought off an
onslaught; they made the Cookstown attack look very ordinary with few
ideas.
All in all a very good win at Coolnafranky, a place where other teams are
bound to lose points this season. Man of the Match was unanimous, going to
Matty Neill McCready with a masterful display of an attacking defender. |