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It was a top of the table clash at Coolnafranky on Saturday and Bangor
disappointingly came away on the wrong end of a 10 goal classic that will
live long in the memory.
Cookstown may have won 6-4 but Bangor contributed every bit as much to the
game as a spectacle and they held their heads high as they trooped off the
pitch at the final whistle.
Despite losing there was much to be positive about. The travelled away to
the league champions and scored four times, including two in the first 10
minutes. There were goals from the strikers, the penalty corner routine
struck again and in the last few minutes Bangor were still driving forward
trying to forage an unlikely point from the game.
In the negative column they did concede six goals, many of which could
have been prevented, and their failure to keep Cookstown out either side
of half time probably cost them the points. But these are the margins at
the top table and if Bangor want to be in the mix come the end of the
season they must face up to that.
It all started so well. Twice in the opening 10 minutes strikers David
McClune and Simon Hunter combined for the latter to score. The first came
when McClune skilfully brought down a clever Mark Lappin aerial and fired
across the goal. Hunter was there to deflect the ball but his effort was
well saved. However, he reacted the quickest and fired home with a rare
reverse stick finish.
Just minutes later and the lead was doubled. Jamie McAuley switched wings
and his beautiful reverse pass found McClune lurking behind the Cookstown
defence. All he had to do to give Hunter a gift of a tap-in was draw the
goalkeeper and he did so expertly.
And in between their two opening goals Bangor had another good chance from
a penalty corner when Michael Harte had a high reverse stick shot well
saved.
Cookstown were shocked into action and notably raised their game. Bangor
were also guilty of sitting a little deep, perhaps shocked themselves that
they'd taken such a significant lead. After forcing a number of penalty
corners and creating a great deal of pressure Cookstown finally got on the
scoresheet 12 minutes before the interval. They once again made good
progress on the right wing and when the initial shot was saved Andy
Barbour was on hand to beat John Tormey with the rebound.
This galvanised the home side and they scored a crucial equaliser just
before half time. Keith Black surged from deep in his own territory and
after several sharp passes cut Bangor open Tim Smyth was left with a
simple finish to level the scores.
And it got no better from Bangor immediately after the re-start. Almost
from the centre Cookstown attacked and David Ames was on hand to sweep
home the first of his two goals. Hunter had a chance to draw Bangor level
straight away after getting on the end of another superb aerial pass from
Lappin but saw his lob fall just wide of the right hand post.
For the next 15 minutes the game see-sawed from end to end but it was
Cookstown who took their chances. McClune had a superb chance to equalise
at four-all but either side of his well saved shot Cookstown scored
through Ames and Thomas Hutchison. And when another breakaway saw Gareth
Cuddy score from a deflection Bangor were staring at a thrashing.
Bangor did reply through a penalty corner goal when Chris Campbell neatly
touched home from a Harte pass. And to their credit they kept at it and
actually finished the stronger. McClune finally got the goal his all-round
performance deserved when set up by Dawie Holley and Hunter - this time
his early shot found the bottom corner, not the goalkeeper's body - making
it 6-4.
And still Bangor pushed in the closing minutes for the most unlikely of
draws, winning several penalty corners and stretching Cookstown until the
very final whistle. Something they did not appreciate given their
appearance in the Kirk Cup semi-final the next day.
However, they still left Cookstown with nothing and will have to bounce
back strongly if they want to break into the All-Ireland qualifying places
for next season. That will be made all the more difficult given they have
no game this Saturday and a less challenging that normal Anderson Cup
fixture against South Antrim the following week. Coach Robbie McMinn must
ensure fitness and standards do not drop before the league campaign kicks
off again. |