Bangor 9 v 2 Portrush

The 5^th XI had an automatic advantage in their home game with Portrush 2nds on Saturday, with the away side only turning up with ten men.  Still, the Bangor side wanted to make sure they got their first win of the season and were relentless in their attack for the opening 15 minutes.  Eventually this paid off when Ryan Garland smashed a short corner low and hard past the Portrush ‘keeper to make it 1-0.  The home side didn’t stop there and a few minutes later after some good link up play between Porter and Reid on the left, it was 2-0 and Reid’s first of the season.  Portrush were not disheartened, and came close several times with Russell being called upon in the Bangor goal to produce some fine saves.  Even with this pressure Bangor managed to break away and made use of their one man advantage and Michael J. Ferguson slotted home his first of the day.  The goal rush didn’t stop there and Reid scored again after a killer pass from Ferguson found him unmarked in the circle and drilled it past the outstretched ‘keeper. 4-0 at half time.

The second half started with a resurgent Portrush who pulled a goal back after about 5 minutes.  This drove Bangor on and Murray on the right fed J. Ferguson and he beat his man and slotted the ball into the net.  Then J. Ferguson got his hat-trick a few minutes later after an amazing run from his own half and lobbed the ball over sliding goalie.  Portrush then made it 6-2 when after a period of pressure they converted a short corner even with McCready’s last gasp effort to block the shot.  Dickson was marshalling the defence and Mitchell on the left was spreading the ball well from the back, and had also cleared the ball of the line minutes after Portrush’s second goal.  J. Ferguson then got his fourth goal of the day when he deflected a shot into the net to make it 7-2.  Gerry Hamill then made it 8-2 shortly after and Reid rounded up the rout by bagging his hat-trick and making it 9-2 which was how the game finished.

Thanks to Michael Coughlin, Simon Harper, Ryan Agnew, Matty Neill-McCready and Michael J. Ferguson for umpiring.  Man of the match was Michael J. Ferguson for his four goals and inspiring display.