Instonians 2 v 1 Bangor

Come the very end of the season , the bald facts will indicate that the number of defeats suffered by the 4^th Xl was evidence aplenty to explain away their lack of success this year in Junior League 3.  Yet, if ever there was an argument for compassionate review, the 4thXi would surely be worthy recipients.

At Instonians on Saturday, another narrow defeat nudged the Fours closer to a formal relegation slot. And that has been the case all season – narrow defeats and constant flirtation with the bottom places. Their play has deserved better return on many occasions and there has been no team which has displayed overt superiority. Indeed, very frustratingly, it has often been the Fourths who have squandered opportunities to gather points.

The new surface at Shaws Bridge hosted a reasonably entertaining fixture on Saturday, neither team displaying any great fluidity but nonetheless contributing to an end to end affair. Play in the first half was largely confined to the midfield areas, with Instonians 4s marginally the more perceptive when going forward. In the opening exchanges, Bangor proved to be the more direct, Parker linking well with McCausland on more than one occasion. But good intent floundered on the final pass somewhat and the Instonians rearguard, marshalled by the evergreen Cooke, were rarely seriously threatened.

At the other end, Instonians best opportunities came from short corners. Two were very well cleared by Russell, one fizzed just past the post and one effort was aided on its way by the left foot of Wilson, the post obviously interfering with the umpires line of vision.

And so the second half in which play followed a similar patter to the first, with Russell in the Bangor goal being the more active. His reactions at short corners were exemplary, deflecting clear with both leg and stick from short corner efforts. However with ten minutes remaining, Bangor finally succumbed. A surging run from midfield saw one Inst player find another wide on the left. The resultant pass was early and accurate and a lone forward moved wide to the right of the circle before pushing home.

Bangor, in dire need of at least a point, responded with some gusto. Patterson and Stranaghan both made meaningful advances from defence, whilst McCausland and Tweed fired into life again. Harper found space well but was not as accurate as usual with his finish and, just as the points seemed to be ebbing away, Irvine advanced into the circle and from an almost too acute angle, fired a quite splendid shot into the far corner.

Two minutes remaining and appoint secured – or so it seemed. Then in one final sweeping move , Inst inflicted a painful blow, their move on the right resulting in a cross tot the left which was converted.

Cruel indeed.

Final Result ; Instonians 4^th Xl – 2

Bangor 4thXl – 1

Man of the match – Roger Irvine

Many thanks to David Shields for umpiring