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It was not like waiting for Godot,
after all. On Saturday last , on a more typically fresh winter afternoon,
the 4thXI finally earned a second victory of the season. In recent weeks ,
the constant refrain of Captain Shields that all would eventually improve,
had begun to sound a little bit like a Beckettian existential muse. Yet
against a competent Kilkeel side, Bangor dispelled such pseudo
intellectual notions. Spurred on by the insistent promptings of R.Mairs,
Bangor started the match as if fuelled by a surplus of caffeine.
Tweed, Irvine and McDowell settled into an efficient passing mode, their
willingness to pass early causing the visitors to scramble to retreive
possession. Tweed in particular was the epitome of conciseness, collecting
the ball before invariably creating space and releasing promptly. The
right proved to be the main outlet, Hamill scurrying , all whirling
dervish like, into the corner. Twice he and Wilson linked well to earn
short corners. The first strike from Stranaghan fizzed narrowly wide. The
second fairly clattered into the backboard , finding the narrowest of gaps
at the base of the post to evade a defenders stick.
Kilkeel retorted with purpose, forcing three short corners in quick
succession. McEvoy cleared efficiently and from one effort, Patterson did
well to clear from the line. Patterson indeed was settling in well to his
new surroundings at right back. His positional acumen allowed him to
anticipate threat and he linked well with Irvine on the break. However, it
was from the left that Bangor notched their second. Douglas progressed on
the left side line, then Wilson collected wide and made space to cross.
The ball found mid circle from where Hamill deflected goal ward . The
keeper parried , but Campbell was on hand to nudge home. And it got
better. Five minutes before half time, Stranaghan rasped another short
corner into exactly the same spot as before. 3-0 at the break.
The exhortations of D.Shields at half time were predominantly encouraging.
His one caveat however was that the next goal would be important as if it
fell to Kilkeel they would push on. It was Kilkeel who scored next, an
initial short corner effort deflecting of the pad of McEvoy before bring
firmly despatched goal ward. There then ensued a period of some ten
minutes when Bangor tottered somewhat, allowing Kilkeel too much space
and therefore momentum.
From one Kilkeel forward foray, McCready broke the play. He passed to
Tweed who quickly found Halliday. A neat one two with Irvine saw Halliday
arrive at the edge of the circle from where his shot forced the keeper to
kick hastily. Too hastily in fact , as the ball spun sideways into the
path of Wilson who had the simplest of conversions. Five minutes later,
the victory was emphatically sealed with a surging run and confident
strike from McDowell.
A well deserved victory and hopefully a positive portent for the coming
weeks.
Final score ;
Bangor 4thXI - 5
Kilkeel 3rdXI - 1
Man of the Match - Adam Tweed
Many thanks to John McCalister and Noel Wishart for umpiring. |