Instonians 0 v 0 Bangor

Bangor lengthened their unbeaten run to four games last Saturday as they became the first side to take points of Instonians at their palatial new home at Shaw's Bridge.

While a 0-0 draw may at first seem disappointing Bangor were still happy to take something from the game with the Belfast side clearly intent on getting life on their new pitch off to a winning start.

Having beaten Banbridge and Civil Service twice in the last three games the Seasiders were determined to keep the good run going and a hard-fought, albeit backs against the walls at times, performance against Instonians got them a point which moves them to just one below the Old Boys and Cookstown in the Premier League.

All this, and the side was without regulars Adam Reading, Mark Lappin and Simon Cox. Seconds players Alan Irwin, Andrew Gowdy and Simon Scales stepped into the breech and did a fabulous job.

They can face Senior One side Mossley, who have been in good form, in the Irish Senior Cup this week with confidence and look to be in the hat for the latter stages of the competition after Christmas.

While not one for the sporting purists, Bangor's game last weekend does show continued progress and is exactly the sort of fixture in previous years they would have been gallant losers. This season they went one step better.

The first half offered little of note as Instonians probed with almost no end product and Bangor looked to hit them on the break. The home side did create the odd chance but Aaron Gill's finishing was wayward and Bangor goalkeeper John Tormey was on hand to stop Chris Barnes when he threatened to break the deadlock.

On 20 minutes Tormey had to stop Barnes again, this time from a penalty corner, and he did so with the late intervention of his left boot.

Bangor did manage to create a few shots on goal themselves when David McClune forced a good save from the home goalkeeper before squandering the rebound and he was again guilty of missing the target when well placed a few minutes later. It was a pity because his superb all-round performance and work rate deserved a goal.

The second period was more even with Instonians appearing to tire and Bangor choosing their moments to counter-attack wisely. Again there were few chances with Barnes shooting high, wide and hansom on a number of occasions.

Bangor forced two penalty corners in quick succession midway through the half and Simon Irvine saw well struck shots saved both times.

With 10 minutes remaining Bangor shut up shop and decided to settle for a draw, however, Instonians still had two chances to grab a late and decisive goal. From the first Irwin somehow managed to put off Barnes with the goal at his mercy and in the miss of the season Julian Lewis hit the side-board from two yards with Tormey stranded.

The luck, and a hard-earned, point were Bangor's. This week the Seasiders face Mossley at the Glade at 2.30pm in the Irish Senior Cup.