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Bangor 4s took on a Harlequins 3's side
predominantly made up of last seasons Bangor
5s promotion winning side in what promised to be a very lively match.
Bangor 4's started the more positive of the two sides, with the midfield
four of
Irvine, Scott, Walker and Reid pressing the opposition from the initial
whistle. Much
of Bangor's early play came down the right side, with Reid and Cook
combining well
with Walker and Scott in the middle of the pitch to create a number of
good chances
for the forward line of Savage and Parker. After a few near misses, Parker
put the
home side in front with a well taken reverse effort.
Quins, to their credit, fought back into the game and Murray and Tweed
combined well
in midfield to produce a number of driving attacks on the Bangor goal.
However,
Kirkpatrick, Stranaghan, Patterson and Cook managed to stiffle the Quins
attacks well
and distribute play to set up a number of counter attacks. On one such
occasion the
ball was swiftly played to Cook, who advanced down the right and found
Reid, who in
turn passed to Savage who was able to slot the ball home.
Quins heads didn't drop however, and the tireless running of Harper and
Ferguson
continued to cause the home side problems and kept them under pressure,
forcing a
number of short corners. One of which was converted on the line by the
goal poacher
extraodinaire Harper.
Bangor responded well. Another good move involving Cook, Scott and Reid
led to the
ball being squared across the circle to Walker who duly smashed the ball
into the far
corner. The home side raised their game further and were rewarded when
Scott slotted
home from a couple of yards to put Bangor 4-1 up at half time.
Quins clearly came out more determined in the second half and continued to
mount a
number of counter attacks that kept the Bangor defence on their toes.
Timely
interventions from Stranaghan and particularly Kirkpatrick twarted the
Quins'
offensive strategy. However, the ever alert Harper slickly hit a first
time effort
from the top of the circle passed Crawford to give the away team a glimmer
of hope.
Instead of folding , Bangor remained resolute. Cook broke up a Quins'
attack and hit
a strong crossfield pass to Savage. He beat his marker and laid-off the
ball to
Irvine who calmly finished to make it 5-2!
Quins' kept fighting and didn't give up. Hamill ensured Patterson had to
be on the
top of his game as the away side looked to get back in the match. At this
stage
Crawford made a couple of timely interventions.
Bangor's defence held out however and provided the platform for the team
to go on a
score twice more through Savage and then Scott, both whom grabbed their
second goals
of the match.The game finished 7-2 to Bangor.
Man of the match was Dale Kirkpatrick who made a number of vital tackles
and
distributed the ball well. Also well done to Crawford in his debut game
for the 4's.
The game was played in excellent spirit and both sides should be
congratulated on
that. Thanks to Robbie McMinn for umpiring and also thanks to both sets of
supporters who added to the already electric atmosphere!
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