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Bangor Mens Hockey Club seconds made the long and arduous journey to
Donegal last Saturday afternoon for a McClements Cup quarter final tie
against Raphoe seconds. Indeed this fixture was a repeat of the 2006
McClements final when the local side ran out 4-2 winners at a sun
lashed Stormont. Sadly the 2008 version, this time contested in
driving rain, had the opposite result when the Donegal side
progressed, albeit as a result of a penalty shootout.
It was an enthralling contest throughout which really could have gone
either way. After a slow start, the Bangor side began to impose
themselves midway through the first half. First Kerrigan slammed the
post from a short corner effort, then McDowell picked out Stranaghan
around the penalty spot but the Raphoe custodian was alert to the
danger. The home side similarly had their chances but the Bangor
defence was dogged throughout, and of course controlled by the
experience of Irwin.
The deadlock was broke minutes into the second period when a defensive
mishap allowed the home side to capitalise, and a lurking forward
swept in past a stranded Thompson. 1-0 Raphoe. The lead did not last
long though, as within 5 minutes it was parity again. As so often
happens, a short corner award went not exactly as planned, but when
the ball fell to Edwards mid circle he finished with aplomb. Both
teams pushed on for a winner as the conditions deteriorated, but it
was the defences that remained on top. All too often the quality was
missing in the final third. Campbell, Clarke and McClelland had
chances for the visitors, but none were converted, whilst Thompson
pulled off a majestic save to dent a Raphoe forward. So onto extra
time, but the 15 minutes played produced little goalmouth action and
no penalty corners, so it was all down to a penalty shootout.
Skipper Clarke won the toss and elected to go first. The first 4
strokes for each side were dispatched, Kerrigan, Gowdy, Edwards and
McClelland scored for the visitors. So effectively it was sudden
death, and when Trimble crashed the 5th stroke against the post the
home vocal support gathered momentum. Thompson though was equal to
the task, and promptly denied the home player and give his side a
lifeline. The umpires, following a brief exchange of words, then
resumed and in a strange decision then gave the home side the
advantage of going first. Raphoe scored to the delight of the home
support, and Kerrigan was then denied.
All in all it was a hard working performance for the seconds, who can
count themselves unlucky they did not progress. Focus must now turn
to the remaining seven league games as the side try and finish as high
up the table as possible.
Many thanks to Paul Donaldson for transporting the team on this long trip. |