Bangor 4 v 1 Newry

The home side started brightly with the midfield and forward lines dominating the game and creating chances.  The mounting pressure finally culminated with Clarke picking out Stranaghan from the top of the circle.  Stranaghan picked up the ball from 5 yards out, spun and fired off a low shot into the back of the net. 

Bangor kept the pressure on and forced Newry onto the back foot.  Five minutes before half time Macafee picked the ball up just inside the Newry half and used his pace and skill to pass several Newry defenders bursting into the Newry circle. Picking out his spot, Macafee calmly finished off his superb solo effort with a rasping shot leaving the Newry 'keeper no chance.  

Half time 2-0. 

Newry awoke and started to play some good hockey at the start of the second half, however the Bangor defence, determined to protect their lead, held strong. Ten minutes in Bangor were awarded a short corner, which McNaught, with inch-perfect precision, picked out the corner of the Newry goal.

The home side momentarily lost focus and gave away a short corner. The resultant shot was stopped by a Bangor body and a penalty flick was awarded to the visitors. The Newry forward shot low past the Bangor keeper to make the score 3-1. 

Newry continued to put pressure on the home side but a composed Bangor defence were equal with sweeper MacAlister leading by example. In the dying minutes, Bangor won another short corner.  McNaught shot again, a carbon copy of his previous, 4-1 Bangor.  The goal sealed the game and that is how the match finished.  

A good Bangor performance all over the pitch, their first win of 2007 under their belt and the Bangor side move on to their remaining matches with a renewed confidence.  

Thanks to Chris Harte and Dave McClune for umpiring.