|
Bangor's race for a semi final place in the Anderson Cup is heating up
after losing 3-2 to Instonians on Saturday.
The Seasiders now need to take points from either Cookstown at home or
Instonians away in the coming month to secure the second position in
the group behind the Co Tyrone side.
Judging by Saturday's performance it will not be easy. Instonians came
to Bangor on Saturday with the bit between their teeth after being
beaten in the league there six weeks before.
They also had Irish Mark Irwin returning with a point to prove after
being dropped from the latest international squad. And his performance
showed he may still have something to offer at the top level.
But it wasn't Irwin who proved the difference between the sides, it
was Chris Barnes. The prolific striker scored a second half hattrick
and was just about the only threat Instonians had to the Bangor goal.
He reminded Bangor of his goalscoring prowess in the first half when
he saw a shot rebound back off the post in what was one of the few
clear cut chances in the first period. Both sides looked like they
would be content with a draw and neither goal was seriously
threatened. Barnes hit the post and Dave McLune twice found himself in
a good position to open the scoring for Bangor but failed to get his
shot off on time.
That changed in an entertaining, if not high standard, second half.
Soon after the break Barnes opened the scoring from a penalty corner
when his low flick rattled into the bottom left corner.
This roused Bangor and they played some of their better hockey chasing
the game. At times they lacked poise and calmness but coach Robbie
McMinn could not fault the team's efforts.
Bangor deservedly drew level when ace poacher Gareth Morton stole in
at the back post and bundled the ball over the line. Equilibrium
didn't last long however, and when Barnes was allowed too much room in
the circle he turned onto his reverse side and fired a shot across
John Tormey into the bottom corner.
In the final 15 minutes Bangor threw everything at Instonians and this
played into the visitors hands. A few half-chances were missed - most
notably when a superb Dowie Holley run left Chris Campbell with an
opportunity in mid circle - and then Instonians went up the other end
to score what proved to be the winner. It was no surprise that Barnes
grabbed it, when he swivelled in the circle and again found the bottom
corner.
But still Bangor responded. But unfortunately they had left themselves
with too much work to do. They did grab one goal back when, after good
work by Morton on the wing, Jeremy MacAfee scored at the back post,
rounding off a memorable week for him after his first child was born.
There were other chances in and around the Instonians goal but time
eventually ran out for Bangor and the visitors had gained revenge for
their league defeat.
Bangor's next game is against Cookstown at home on Saturday January
26. Before Christmas Bangor travelled to Cookstown three times and
lost in three different competitions. They will be hopeful that home
advantage was crucial and that something from the game helps them
towards a semi final place. |