PSNI 2 v 9 Bangor

Two league wins and two cup victories in the past five matches have left Davy Shields charges with all to play for in the final three, and possibly four, remaining fixtures.

Victory in the league games will leave the fourths with a semblance of hope of avoiding relegation. They may, however, have to rely on the fortunes of others wheras in the cup, they can court their own kismet. Their semi final will be played on March 24, when they host Raphoe at Ballykillaire.

In the league last Saturday however, a resounding victory over PSNI now leaves at least the possibility of escape. All was relatively calm in the early stages with Bangor the sharper. Tweed, Halliday and Irvine were insistent in midfield, prompting with pace and no little accuracy. The first goal came after ten minutes, the mercurial Harper ghosting on to sweep a Halliday cross home.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0, Stranaghan unleashing a mighty hit which dissected the keepers legs. The PSNI keeper was the busier, twice stopping well form Wilson and Halliday respectively. However, Russell in the Bangor goal made important contributions at key stages. His speed of reaction is laudable and his kicking under pressure disciplined. On at least three occasions he prevented the home side reducing the margin of loss. Indeed , it was Bangor who scored next, Harper again creating space to nudge home.

As usual, Bangor decided to allow their opponents some succour and as half-time approached, PSNI did indeed score, courtesy of a short corner switch. At the break, captain Shields was insistent in his urgings, arguing that the  next goal was of strategic import. 

It was Bangor who scored next, and indeed continued to dominate thereafter. Debutant Ferguson was the scorer, latching onto an Irvine pass before turning astutely to fire home.

By now, the pressure exerted on PSNI, courtesy of speed of pass and continual forward motion, began to take its toll. Douglas and Patterson overlapped regularly and with conviction. McCreedy and Stranaghan were able to thread ball through midfield with increasing ease. In deed, in the last 15 minutes Bangor scored a further five goals with but one being scored in reply.

Ferguson made his a brace with an excellent burst from the edge of the circle to make room before converting. Then Halliday capped yet another fine performance with a fine cross-shot. Wilson, nothing if not industrious, neatly deflected an Irvine pass into the roof of the net. In the final five minutes, Warren Reid was in prime position to slot home twice – just reward for a measured and promising first full outing for the fours - 9-2 to Bangor at the finish then, and perhaps more to come.

Man of the match was Sam Halliday and many thanks again to Noel Wishart for travelling to umpire