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Bangor Fourths entertained Portadown on Saturday past in terrible
conditions at Ballykillaire. Despite the inclement weather, Bangor
welcomed the game with confidence high after a run of three wins in the
last four league matches. The fourths line up on the day was as strong as
it had been for some time, and expectations were high that another two
points could be gained.
Unfortunately, the visitors hadn't quite read the script as they started
the brighter of the 2 teams. Their interchanging midfield and forward line
troubling the Bangor defensive quartet on numerous occasions. Despite the
close calls, Bangor made it through the opening 10 minutes unscathed and
began to exert some pressure of their own. The right channel was the
source of most of the Bangor attacks, Mottashaw and Walker linking well
with Parker and Eccles up front. Bangor did have to be on their guard
constantly though as Portadown were well tuned to a fast counter attacking
style of play. One such attack led to a series of penalty corners for the
visitors and eventually the pressure told after a well worked switch.
Despite this setback, Bangor did continue to create chances themselves.
Walker had a fine flick effort saved by the stick of the Portadown keeper,
when a goal seemed certain. In truth though, the poor weather contributed
to a fairly open game and either side could have scored again before half
time. As it was though, the score remained 1-0 as the teams turned around.
Bangor started the second half in determined fashion, with Todd and Boyd
making headway straight from the restart. After good work by Irvine and
Scott on the left, the ball broke to Walker at the top of the circle. Some
clever stick work and a 'shimmy' later, the veteran striker dispatched the
ball resolutely past the Portadown keeper to draw Bangor level. A great
start to the half by Bangor. Portadown recovered quickly though and the
game quickly resumed it's competitive, yet open, nature. Indeed Portadown
were take the lead yet again. A move down the Bangor left caught a couple
of players out of position as the ball was played across the circle to a
Portadown player who gleefully smashed it high into the Bangor net.
The ebb and flow of the game continued, as Bangor regained the upper hand,
searching for an equaliser. A move started by Mottashaw at right back
ended with Irvine scoring his 4th of the season and once again the scores
were level!! With 10 minutes to play, the game was wide open !
Unfortunately for Bangor, it was Portadown who were to score the next goal
and ultimately the winner. A combination of clever build up play and some
sloppy defensive tackling allowed an attacking Portadown midfielder to
slot the ball past Irvine in the Bangor goal. As much as they tried in the
remaining minutes, Bangor just did not have enough to force themselves
back into the game for a third time. An enthralling match finished 3-2 to
Portadown.
Many thanks to Andrew McIlhagga and Mark Campbell who stayed late and in
the rain to umpire the game. |