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The sixths faced a
tough Belfast Harlequins team in Bangor on Friday night, and despite being
the better team, Bangor unfortunately ran out on the wrong end of a 3-2
result.
Bangor started well with Thomas
Crawford and Shorty linking up well to create the home team's first chance
inside a few minutes. Bangor kept this pressure on with Phil Campbell
coming close and Dean Varley had a shot saved by the ‘keeper. Harlequins
then managed to break away but were thwarted by John Mitchell who made a
last ditch tackle before the forward could get his shot away. Harlequins
kept the pressure on and a fine save by ‘keeper Russell kept the scores at
0-0. Straight after this Bangor made a couple of simple but deadly passes
and the ball found its way to Phil Campbell who slotted it home for his
second of the season. Harlequins were determined to get straight back into
the game and a couple of good tackles by Duncan Morris at right back made
sure they didn’t trouble the Bangor goal. Then the home side had their
first short corner of the game which was well struck by Brian McKee, but
matched all the way by the ‘quins goalkeeper. Harlequins then broke though
the Bangor defence and their winger was one-on-one with the Bangor ‘keeper
who made a diving save to knock the ball away, and in the process had his
helmet knocked off, but John Mitchell ushered the ball to safety. After
this came a contender for goal of the season. Dean Varley picked the ball
up at the half-way line and beat three men before smashing the ball into
the back of the net to put the home side 2-0 up at half time.
The second half was a different
story, with Bangor all over Harlequins but unable to convert their
chances. Duncan Morris and Matty Neill-McCready came close with shots from
short corners but unfortunately could not finish the game off. Harlequins
then had three chances in the second half, and managed to convert them
all. Two in quick succession about ten minutes into the second half, and
just after Bangor missed a couple of good chances the ball broke down the
left wing and was hit past the Bangor goalkeeper to make it 3-2. That
turned out to be the last touch of the game, and although Bangor dominated
proceedings, Harlequins managed to steal the two points with a last gasp
winner. The whole team gave a great account of themselves and man of the
match went to Dean Varley for his wonder goal. Thanks to Matty Neill-McCready,
Paddy McAllister and Brian McKee for umpiring.
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