NICS 2 v 3 Bangor

Now they have grown used to winning, to making a virtue out of adversity, their bloody-minded resolution sharpened by a series of must win matches. 

This match at league leaders NICS 3rdXl represented a decidedly stiff challenge, particularly as victory in this and their final match still may not have been sufficient to stave off relegation. And win they did. It was neither an exuberant nor a convincing victory, conjured as it was from an afternoon of scrambled defending and occasional counter attacking, but it was, in its own way, impressive. 

The hosts had already secured promotion and also defeated Bangor in the earlier fixture by a resounding 6-2 margin. Here, however, they were not so assured.  From the start, Bangor struck some semblance of a groove first, Halliday, Tweed and Irvine in midfield distributing the ball quickly and reasonably effectively. 

The right proved the main source of attack, the searing pace of Harper causing his direct opponent untold problems. With ten minutes gone, Bangor took the lead, Campbell having the simplest of touches following a forceful run from Harper. NICS, in attempting to retaliate quickly, left themselves exposed and were caught cold. Halliday linking first with Wilson and then Harper before the latters pass found Campbell at the head of the circle. Although unmarked, Campbell still had the attention of an onrushing keeper to divert. He did so quite expertly, lifting the ball with an astute flick of the wrist into the vacant net.  

As the half time break approached, Bangor appeared comfortable enough but tell tale signs were apparent. Three times the hosts broke at pace. Three times there was a 2 on 1 situation but three times McEvoy kicked efficiently.

But , almost on the whistle, the margin was reduced, a deflected short corner effort evading the outstretched leg of McEvoy. 

As expected, the second half response of NICS was robust. Although never totally fluent, their play still had a competitive edge which denied Bangor any meaningful possession. Clear cut chances were at a premium but there was a sense of the momentum shifting with the league leaders. Stranaghan, McCreedy and Douglas were obdurate in their defence of the slender Bangor lead. But the pressure finally told when with ten minutes remaining NICS did achieve parity.