Premier League : Bangor 3 v 2 Instonians

FIRSTS SPARKLE AT HOME TO INST

Three games into the new season and Bangor are unbeaten and joint top of the Podium Premier League with Cookstown.
On Saturday they faced Instonians and they kept their successful home record against the Old Boys with a tight, hard fought 3-2 win at Ballykillaire.

In atrocious weather conditions Bangor fought tooth and nail for every ball against an experienced Instonians side. That fight and good performances from every member of the squad helped Bangor secure their best ever start to a Premier League season.

They were helped by skipper Adam Reading out-gunning Instonians' penalty corner expert Chris Barnes 2-0 in the set-piece duel. In fact, Reading only needed two minutes two open the scoring when he fired Bangor's first penalty corner into the bottom left corner after Simon Hunter and Dave McClune had combined to win the set-piece.

Bangor played into the strong wind and rain in the first half and the fact they took the lead and went into the break ahead was a tribute to their hard work. It was probably the first half performance that sealed the win.

But it didn't all go Bangor's way. After taking the lead Instonians forced a series of penalty corners and on a number of occasions John Tormey had to be on top form to stop Barnes from adding to his season's tally. But midway through the half Tormey made another save from Barnes and the ball was not cleared adequately, allowing Chris Kirk to score the equaliser from close in.

Bangor responded in the best possible fashion. They started to dominate again in midfield - with Chris Campbell being a constant thorn in the visitors' side - and the pressure on Instonians began to build. When he won a penalty corner Reading stepped up again, this time with the help of a deflection, to fire Bangor back into the lead.

As expected Instonians came out with the bit between their teeth in the second half and had drawn level after just five minutes. Their attack seemed to be over but their left back was allowed to squirm free and get a cross into the circle that Barnes popped up to deflect in past the helpless Tormey.

The middle section of the second period swung from end to end with neither side carving out clear chances. But it was in the midfield battle that Bangor were increasingly beating their more illustrious opponents. Mark Lappin, Michael Harte and Dawie Holley seemed to get stronger as the game progressed and not only were they stopping Instonians they were increasingly starting more attacks with their intelligent passing and movement.

For all their dominance in the centre of the pitch it was a moment of wonderful quality in front of goal that was to seal the win. Harte drifted through on the right and lashed a long pass into the circle. Gareth Morton, feeling his way back into the team after a back injury, made sure he got onto the end of it and with the most skilful of touches guided a flashing deflection past the Instonians goalkeeper to make it 3-2.

There was still time for Instonians to mount a last push and they forced two penalty corners in the closing minutes. With nerves jangling Tormey and his back four managed to stop Barnes each time and secure another win for Bangor that gives them seven points from three games.

But in the top league the challenges never stop - this week they face Lisnagarvey in Hillsborough. Getting anything from that game will continue their superb start to the season.