Bangor 2 v 0 Civil Service
Bangor's game with Civil Service at the weekend was a uninspiring as the weather but nonetheless the Seasiders overcame dogged opposition and scrapped to a 2-0 win.
In a game that will not live long in the memory Bangor were always the better side and that finally told with two late goals paving the way to victory.
Despite never hitting the heights of the previous week's win against Banbridge, Bangor can still take a great deal of satisfaction from getting the job done and now having six points from four league games. Given a reasonably testing start to their Premier League campaign this is a solid start to the season.
Bangor dominated long periods of Saturday's game but a failure to convert their many chances could have cost them all three points. Almost from the outset Bangor laid siege to the Civil Service goal and the home side only made sporadic raids into their opponents half.
After the sterling work by the defence and goalkeeper John Tormey the previous week against Banbridge they were entitled to an easier outing this time round and so it proved. The Bangor defence dealt with everything thrown at them comfortably and spent much more time setting up attacks than stopping them.
For the second successive week Bangor's best players were Nicky Blease and Michael Harte who intelligently broke down play when Civil Service were in possession and dictated the tempo of Bangor's play when they were in control of the ball.
Although the first half remained goalless Bangor did have their chances and twice from close range Dave McClune went close. Chris Campbell also tested the home goalkeeper in an energetic display.
Coach Stephen Jackson was absent because of other hockey commitments and in his stead, deputy Johnny Todd appealed to Bangor to raise themselves at half-time.
They barely did but midway through the second half they managed to break the deadlock through an individual Simon Hunter goal. Blease found him lurking on the left of the circle and he cut in past two defenders before beating the goalkeeper and flicking high into the net.
This eased the nerves and Bangor started to carve out a few more chances against a tiring and increasingly ill-tempered Civil Service.
Adam Reading had a few efforts from penalty corners saved and Mark Lappin repeatedly threatened down the right but it was Simon Irvine who had the best chance when he volleyed over from just three yards out with the goalkeeper stranded.
Just when it looked like Hunter's goal would be the only thing separating the sides Bangor struck again through the tireless Campbell. Harte won the ball in midfield and supplied Lappin who in turn played in the diminutive forward and he skilfully beat the goalkeeper before holding off a vicious challenge and finding the goal.
In the closing stages the Civil Service captain Ricky Shields was red-carded for repeated dissent and Bangor played the final minutes against 10 men.
This week's scheduled game against Cookstown in the league has been postponed because of their side's players involvement in the under-21 inter-provincials. This may rob Bangor of some of the momentum created by successive wins but on the plus side the team can get into their tuxedos in good time for the Sportsmans Ball in the Marine Court Hotel.