East Antrim 2nds 0 v 3 Bangor 5ths

FIFTHS CONTINUE WHERE THEY LEFT OFF

Bangor 5^th XI travelled to the Valley leisure centre on Saturday to play East Antrim 2^nd XI in their first league match in corporate coaching Junior League 5 after winning Junior 6 last season. Although upon reaching their destination it turned out that the pitch had been double booked, after a last minute switch from Paisley Park. So the match eventually ended up taking place at Ballysillan leisure centre.

Before the match both teams’ players took part in a minutes silence for the recent tragic death of Kirsty Farrell, a young lady who played for Bangor Ladies Hockey Club. The silence was respectfully upheld by everyone.

The match began at a fast tempo, after being used to winning with ease last year, the changed line up of the 5s found themselves in a tough match, with several 1^st XI players stepping out for East. The first 10 minutes saw fairly even exchanges, until one of the 5s young veterans, Simon Murray found Simon Harper with a delightful ball, and Harper slapped it passed the ‘keeper to open the scoring. Makeshift centre mid and debutant Paul Scott was all over the pitch, getting in the faces of the opposition, harrying them whilst they were in possession. Bob Espey also added some muscle in midfield, doing a lot of defensive work. At the back James Weatherall marshalled the defence, stopping a lot of what came his way, and finding Bangor players in wide positions with his hitting. Another debutant Dale Kirkpatrick preformed admirably at right back, whilst Matty Neill-McCready was competent at sweeper.

1-0 at halftime and the 5s were being made to work for their 2 points, but the team went back out after the break determined and in confident mood.

Simon Harper found himself with a chance early on, which looked to most like a tap in to an empty net, however he could not reach the ball quick enough and it stayed 1-0. Some delightful play between the forward trio of Harper, Togneri and Dave McGarvey saw more and more chances open up on the counter attack.

However at the back Bangor were conceding a fair number of short corners, and one corner needed a telling Dave Stewart contribution,  a hammered shot which seemed to be heading for the top of the backboard was stopped by a magnificent stick save from Stewarty to keep the travelling teams’ slender lead intact. Soon after he was called upon again deflecting a sneaky effort high over his bar.

In usual fashion, spurred on by those near misses, the 5s counter attacked with great pace in a move that saw impressive Calum Togneri finish competently, to add to his goal for BGS 1sts earlier in the day. 2-0 and not to be out done Harper was lurking, and again set free by another Murray pass, made it 3-0.

Ryan Garland often did the hard bit, making a great tackle, but lacked conviction in the clearance or pass that followed, however a surging run from Garland nearly ended in a good opportunity for Calum Togneri to make it 4.

Shell-shocked East Antrim could not muster any incisive moves in the final 10 minutes, and Bangor picked up their first win of the season with a somewhat flattering 3-0 win. With Jamesy Weatherall picking up the man of the match award. Thanks to Mark Russell for travelling to umpire.