Civil Service 1 v 3 Bangor
For the first time in over a season Bangor have won three successive games, with a hard-fought victory over Civil Service last weekend.
Having beaten the same opponents two weeks previously in the league, this time Bangor won by the same margin, albeit by scoring one more and conceding a goal in a 3-1 win.
Despite being dominant for long periods of the their second game in the Anderson Cup Bangor allowed Civil Service back into the game at the start of the second half and it wasn't until the closing stages that, ultimately, their superiority showed.
As in the league game Bangor started the stronger and in the first few minutes both David McClune and Chris Campbell forced saves from the home goalkeeper.
Midway through the half McClune went one better when through on goal when just as he appeared about to score he was cynically chopped down and a penalty stroke was awarded. Vice-captain Adam Reading stepped up and converted the penalty with the minimum of fuss.
Campbell and Simon Hunter also went close as the Civil Service threw himself in front of everything the Bangor forwards could muster.
Bangor struggled to dominate the rest of the half and only had a few penalty corners to show for their efforts. Civil Service managed to breach the Seasiders defence on a few occasions and goalkeeper John Tormey had to be alert to a snap shot from mid-circle.
Bangor started the second period in their customary lackadaisical style and Civil Service soon drew level. If Bangor truly have aspirations of being a top four side in Ulster they will have to address their consistent poor starts to the second half. The goal came when Andrew Johnston won a free-hit at the top of the circle and his quick pass found Symington in front of goal and he bundled the ball home.
Bangor may have a problem holding onto a lead but they rarely have difficulty bouncing back and they did so through a well worked set-piece just minutes later. Mark Lappin, with almost his final act before getting married and missing the next two weeks on honeymoon, blasted home a penalty corner variation from the right of the circle to make it 2-1.
Finally, Bangor's fitness and better skills started to tell and they were rewarded with the best move of the game and a classy goal with just five minutes remaining. A flowing move started with Lappin, moved between Campbell and Harte and then the latter played a one-two with McClune on the by-line before flicking home past the stranded goalkeeper. In a match of much mediocrity it was a rare gem.
There was just time left for Dowie Holley to get yellow-carded for a clumsy challenge on Symington but Bangor had enough strength to ride out the final minutes with just 10 men.
This week they travel to face Instonians at their new palatial surroundings at Shaw's Bridge. Bangor have beaten Instonians in each of the last three seasons and will be looking a similar result to maintain this unbeaten run and push up the Premier League after an uncertain start.