Kilkeel 1 v 1 Bangor

BEFORE the game Bangor may have seen drawing to Kilkeel as dropping two points but with just five minutes left and staring defeat in the face they left the pitch happy with a point following a 1-1 draw.

Kilkeel were as spirited and determined as ever on their home patch and Bangor had to match them in all departments in what was an entertaining, if not top quality, Premier League game.

In the first half in particular Bangor created consistent pressure on the home side but were, for the second week running, left to wonder whether a failure to covert this into goals would cost them when Kilkeel took the lead midway through the half.

Thankfully an equaliser did come when Simon Hunter scored with only a handful of minutes left with a goal that went some way towards atoning for his wayward finishing two weeks previously.

It would not have been so close if Bangor had capitalised on an opening half when, apart from a few rare forays from Kilkeel, they dominated the play. Despite being missing a number of players and having to draft in some of the wider squad they still outplayed Kilkeel for large sections of the first period.

However, not may chances were created with Adam Reading firing wide from the side's only penalty corner and Hunter hitting the outside of the post after a one-two with Mark Lappin.

Lappin was making a great deal of progress on the right flank and along with Dowie Holley was ensuring the forwards were well supplied throughout. What little pressure Bangor did come under was comfortable dealt with the solid line-up of Gareth Kidd, Alan Irwin and Reading.

Kilkeel improved after the break and as spaces opened up because of tired legs they threatened more. With their strong running game Bangor were actually most at threat when on the attack and vulnerable to home side on the break. This proved the case for the opening goal when Kilkeel swept up the pitch at pace, won a penalty corner and after the initial routine broke down Gareth Russell was free to score from close in.

With time running out Bangor threw everything at Kilkeel. The hard working Chris Campbell was restored to the forward line, passes were played with more urgency and the home defence was stretched to the full. At one point Kidd even popped up on the left wing in search of the elusive equaliser.

Just as it started to look like the text book smash and grab from Kilkeel Bangor grabbed an overdue goal. Good work on the right wing freed up Irwin and he smashed a cross into the circle where Hunter turned his man and lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

This week Bangor travel to reigning league champions Annadale in Carryduff and will be looking forward to the opportunity to test themselves against the best side in Ulster. The game is at 2.30pm at Lough Moss.