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Bangor threw Mossley a Premier League lifeline on
Saturday when they allowed them to fight back and grab a 4-4 draw at
Ballykillare.
The Seasiders were 2-0 up after five minutes and 4-1 ahead with less than
half an hour to go but allowed Mossley to come back and grab a point.
Mossley now have an advantage over relegation rivals Kilkeel but Bangor
could still have a telling influence on the issue when they face the Co
Down side in the last game of the season.
Bangor will wish to get something from their final two games - a tricky
away visit to Annadale and that final home game against Kilkeel. They
would also have hoped to have beaten Mossley, particularly after racing
into a two goal lead.
The home side started on the front foot and put the Mossley defence under
a great deal of pressure. The first goal came after the ball was stolen
off a Mossley defender and Jamie McAuley won a penalty corner. Up stepped
Adam Reading and he slammed the ball into the bottom left corner for the
perfect start.
It got even better just minutes later when Bangor doubled their lead.
Teenager Craig McDowell, who enjoyed his best game for the firsts at right
back, played a superb ball down the wing, releasing Simon Hunter. He
appeared to have no real support as he made his way into the circle but he
cheekily nutmegged the Mossley goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
With such an early lead Bangor were guilty of stepping off the gas and
Mossley dominated the remainder of the first half. That the Belfast side
only scored one was down to a poor penalty corner routine and the solidity
of captain John Tormey in the Bangor goal.
That goal came when a Mossley attack on the left flank was broken up but
Bangor failed to clear their lines. The ball fell to Ross Beatie and he
fired home from the top of the circle.
But in the final minutes of the first half Bangor restored their two goal
lead against the run of play. McAuley made a strong run down the middle of
the pitch and released Simon Cox at exactly the right time. The diminutive
forward took a touch and coolly rolled the ball past the advancing
goalkeeper for 3-1.
Bangor always knew that Mossley would come strong at them in the second
half and all appeared to be going well when they weathered the storm and
extended their lead further. To only get a point from 4-1 up was one of
the side's most disappointing returns of the season. While this could be
forgivable against a top side to do it against one facing relegation
speaks ill of Bangor's confidence.
The fourth goal came after a superbly taken quick free from Nicky Blease
found Hunter in the circle. He then twice exchanged passed with McAuley,
wrong footing the Mossley back four, leaving McAuley with a simple tap-in.
But from here it was downhill for Bangor. Credit to Mossley for fighting
back into the game. The point they gained may just keep them in top flight
hockey for next season. Mossley had attacked predominantly down their
right all afternoon and it was no surprise that their three late goals
came from there.
All three involved good work from Ulster player Simon Todd, who was
Mossley's best player by a stretch. For the visitors' second goal his shot
appeared to he heading wide of the left post but was turned in by Chris
McLean. Todd also set up the third, but this time with a more deliberate
pass to Ricky Lee.
With only two minutes left another of Mossley's young stars, Ryan McRea
grabbed the equaliser. Again the Belfast side made progress down the right
flank and when it came over to him, McRea turned sharply and fired an
unsaveable reverse stick shot past Tormey.
This week Bangor travel to face Annadale at Jordanstown. They may not have
hit the heights of the last five season when they were league champions,
but Annadale will still prove difficult opposition for Bangor. With
neither side really having anything to play for it could be a chance for
Bangor to sneak a win over their more illustrious rivals.
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