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Bangor 4's travelled to the Valley leisure centre to take on PSNI
2's
in what could have been a tricky away fixture. After last week's
performance, nothing less than 2 points would suffice against PSNI.
Despite a number of enforced changes to last week's team sheet, Bangor
started in a very positive spirit and put PSNI on the back foot
straight away. The pace of the the two 4th XI debutants, Eccles and
Aiken, up front caused the PSNI backline a number of early problems.
The initial link up play between Cook, Scott, Todd and Irvine created
a couple of good chances for the front pair. Such was Bangor's
dominance, that Mottashaw and Patterson were able to support the
attacks from wide as Bangor continued to mount pressure on the PSNI
defence.
Scott was unlucky not to score after a flash-shot was stopped on the
line by a PSNI defender and the ball was cleared to safety. Bangor
continued to press and won a number of short corners. Unfortunately,
largely due to a particularily sandy surface, the corners were not
converted.
Bangor could sense that it was only a matter of time before the
breakthrough would come. Todd took the game by the scruff of the neck
and rampaged through the centre of the PSNI defence; his accurate shot
hitting the backboard to make the score 1-0 to Bangor.
However, instead of consolidating their lead, Bangor once more lost
concentration after scoring and allowed a long through ball to find a
PSNI forward, who ran largely unchallenged into the circle and
dispatched the ball past Crawford to make it 1-1 just before
half-time.
The half-time team talk revolved around the need for Bangor to keep
width to their play. Cook, on the right and Irvine, on the left duly
obliged and were ably supported by Mottashaw and Patterson. The front
running of Aiken and particularily Eccles enabled Bangor to mount
attack after attack from wide positions. On one occassion Cook picked
up a pass from Mottashaw and crossed to Eccles who sneaked in front of
his marker and was unlucky to see his flick-shot fly just wide of the
post.
Scott and Todd continued to dominate in midfield, although credit must
be given to the PSNI midfielders, who made a number of key
interceptions and driving runs that ensured that Stranaghan and Martin
couldn't relax at the back. Indeed the pair made a number of excellent
last ditch tackles as PSNI hit on the break.
Bangor's pressure eventually proved to much for PSNI. Bangor won a
succession of short corners. Stranaghan lived up to his pre-match
billing as " one of the best hitters of a ball in the league" by
thumping a terrific shot from one of the short-corners. Indeed, he
almost did it again but for an excellent save by the PSNI keeper, who
had an inspired game. He went on to produce a number of further good
saves, especially from an effort by Cook.
Scott continued to drive forward from midfield and combined well with
Aiken and Eccles to win yet another short-corner. On this occassion
the ball was switched to Mottashaw, whose trademark drag-flick flew
passed the helpless PSNI keeper to make it 3-1 to Bangor.
PSNI mounted one last counter attack and when it looked like they
might nick a second goal, Crawford raced off his line to diffuse the
situation and make the game safe for Bangor. It finished 3-1 to the
away side.
Man of the Match was Chris Eccles who had an excellent debut for the
4's, closely followed by Todd who was constantly on hand to set up
Bangor's attacking play. Congratulations to Aiken and Mottashaw and
also Burgress (who returned from university), who all played good
parts in the victory.
Next up is Portadown at home which is another must-win game for Bangor.
Thanks to D. Shields for umpiring. |