Well, well, well. Just as the Fourth XI hopes of staging a remarkable comeback form the throes of relegation seemed to be fading with the onset of proper winter evenings ,so a little festive cheer has been sprinkled on their shoulders. Following the sterling win over Kilkeel 3s last weekend, they recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory over Antrim 3rds to edge ever so slightly away from the bottom place in Junior League 3.

Perhaps it was the positive, measured pre match exhortations of erstwhile coach R.Mairs. Perhaps the positional changes which meant a slightly older complement took the field. Or perhaps just the capricious nature of fortune which has determined that D.Shields charges deserve some reward after a season characterised by good play but very limited return. From the outset here, it was obvious that the charge of confidence gained from last week, was still coursing with intent in their system.

Wilson and Hamill provide genuine nuisance value in attack, their insistent scampering hither and thither causing consternation with the visiting rearguard. And as, for the second consecutive week, the midfield of Tweed, McDowell and Halliday, were passing and releasing the ball with refreshing alacrity, there was a surfeit of chances created. Even before the opening goal, Bangor were setting their sights. From his first short corner, Stranaghan fizzed narrowly wide. From the second, the ball was switched left to Tweed but his effort unfortunately avoided the backboard as it entered the net.

The goal , when it did come , was the epitome of efficiency. Tweed, collecting on the 25, delivered one of his delightedly feigned passes into the circle where it was met by the incoming Hamill. A neat deflection and the ball rose high into the net. There then followed a succession of missed chances. Wilson and Hamill both missed shots on the turn. McDowell, making some strident cross field runs was unlucky to have two shots parried by the visiting keeper.

Then Campbell, having extricated himself from the attention of two defenders, conjured a flick from under his feet. As it looped towards the far post, Wilson, attentive to the possibility of a rebound from the post, took up the requisite position.; Unfortunately, the ball avoided the post and Wilsons stick. Five minutes later Campbell made amends , drag flicking adroitly from mid circle following a fluent move on the right.

As for Antrim ? They competed with reasonable effort in the middle but were not allowed the space to create chances. Unlike at the Forum a month since, when Bangor gifted chances as though they were rehearing a Xmas bonanza, here they were decidedly more obdurate. Patterson , Stranaghan, Douglas and McCready formed a solid defensive unit and when they were out manoeuvred minutes before the break, McEvoy was on hand to palm clear.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Antrim toiled, but it was the home side who were the more penetrative. Chances were created at regular intervals. Stranaghan was unlucky with a brace of short corners. Hamill swivelled onto a pass from Irvine but the shot shuffled wide. Campbell nudged narrowly wide from an acute angle. Wilson missed from a less acute angle, following an incisive run from Hamill. Then Wilson did score, but truth be told , the final touch was unnecessary as Hamills effort , although partially parried, still had enough momentum to trundle goalward. Wilson, perhaps conscious of his earlier lapse at the post, pushed home to be sure.

Final Result

Bangor 4th XI – 3
Antrim 3rd XI – 0

Man of the Match – Adam Tweed

Many thanks to Noel Wishart for umpiring

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