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At 13.00 on 20th October Bangor 4's
recorded their first win of the season against a strong Raphoe 3's line
up.
After a reasonably good performance away to Kilkeel last week, hopes were
high before the match that Bangor could gather their first points of the
season. The captain made the decision to switch to a 4-4-2 prior to push
back and the players duly responded by grinding out the much needed
victory.
Bangor started the match more purposeful than the visitors. Boyd, Scott,
Irvine and Reid made the most of early possession to set up a number of
attacks that unfortunately the front two couldn't quite convert. Raphoe
were limited to a couple of efforts from the top of the circle that
Thompson and his defence were able to deal with.
After the initial period, Bangor began to step up a level...Cook
intercepted a pass at the half way line, beat a couple of players and laid
the ball off to the excellent Reid, who in turn found Walker. His
cross/shot almost found it's way to Cook at the back post but
unfortunately was just too far ahead of the advancing player.
Minutes later Bangor were one up! Walker picked up the ball wide on the
left just inside the Raphoe half and sent a glorious through ball to
Irvine, who controlled it well, beat his marker and slid it expertly under
the on-coming keeper.
Bangor continued to press for the rest of the half and actually should
have been more in front. The half time team talk centred on keeping
position and maintaining focus to ensure Bangor did not let another lead
slip...
Bangor's defence began to communicate better during the second half and
thus were able to deal with the two Raphoe forwards more effectively. This
meant that Parker, Stranaghan or Cook could push forward to support the
midfield if need be.
On one such occasion Stranaghan received the ball in the in the middle of
pitch to the right hand side and was able to hit a cross-field ball to
Cook who had pushed forward. Cook controlled the ball on the reverse side,
took it into the circle and promptly dispatched it into the far corner of
the Raphoe net!! 2-0 Bangor!!!
Unlike previous matches were Bangor had instantly conceded after scoring,
this time the team managed to continue to dictate play. Scott, Reid, Boyd,
Irvine, continued to pass the ball neatly around the midfield, providing
further opportunities for the rotating forward line of Harper, McCausland
and Walker.
Raphoe were limited to a couple of counter attacks...one of which led to a
short corner which they scored from. The ball appeared to be going wide,
only for a Raphoe stick to deflect it into the Bangor goal with about five
minutes to go.
Instead of panicking, Bangor continued to hold possession and create
chances, winning a series of short corners. Unfortunately these were not
converted as Bangor should have really sown up the match.
As it was Bangor held on for the last few minutes for a well deserved
victory and a crucial 2 points.
The team played with real determination and battling spirit...attributes
that we must maintain and build-on to push on up the table now!!
Man of the match was Warren Reid, with Paul Scott an industrious close
second. To be fair every player had a very good game. Well done guys!!
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