Premier League : Bangor 4 v 2 Raphoe

BANGOR BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Bangor got back to winning ways and leapt back up to fifth in the Premier League with a combative 4-2 win over Raphoe on Saturday.

It was far from pretty but Bangor got the three points that were absolutely necessary if they are to hold onto fifth and qualify for next season's All-Ireland League.

They have just five league games left in the New Year - home against Lisnagarvey, Cookstown and Annadale and away to Instonians and Mossley - and will need to pick up at least two more wins to keep their dream alive.

Saturday could not have got off to a better start with Bangor having the ball in the net before a Raphoe player had even touched the ball. Dawie Holley's aerial ball found Chris Campbell on the right wing and he drove into the circle before crossing. The ball rebounded out of the area and Holley, who had caught up with play by now, lashed it back into the circle where Dave McClune spectacularly deflected the ball into the roof of the net.

And as Bangor dominated the opening stages the second goal wasn't long in coming. This time it was skipper Adam Reading who got back into scoring form from a penalty corner. It's been several weeks since he found the target and after getting his range with an earlier effort he slotted his second under the diving Raphoe goalkeeper.

Bangor's pressure was consistent in the opening 20 minutes but gradually their standard dropped and Raphoe started to threaten. Bangor got drawn into their strung out, fractious game and after a good save from Robin Thompson - who deputised admirably for the absent John Tormey - Raphoe grabbed a goal back. The ball was given away on the left of the Bangor defence and they were unable to cover back, leaving Stevenson to score from close range.

But the home side responded well and almost immediately swept up the other end to win a penalty stroke. More good work on the right, involving the superb Stephen McLean and Campbell created an opportunity for Michael Harte and his reverse stick shot was illegally stopped on the line by a Raphoe foot. Reading despatched the resulting stroke with ease.

Three-one up at the break was as much as Bangor deserved but they could not get back to the level with which they started the game. Raphoe created much more pressure in the second period and Reading was called on for his defensive work rather than goal scoring on several occasions.

However, Bangor were still the more penetrative team and they extended their lead when Campbell won another penalty corner. With the routine seemingly going awry Simon Hunter freed up space for Mark Lappin and although his initial shot was saved Jamie McAuley was on hand to fire the ball home. McAuley is starting to make a habit of scoring penalty corner rebounds, something Bangor have struggled to do for a long time.

The closing stages were made more difficult for Bangor when Campbell got himself needlessly sent off for a clumsy tackle on the halfway line but they played out this disadvantage without conceding. Raphoe did grab a late consolation through Corry but, in truth, Bangor never looked like losing their lead and dropping valuable points, despite not playing particularly well.

There's no games this week because of Christmas but Bangor are plunged straight back in at the deep end with a crucial match away to Instonians on January 3. That, and Lisnagarvey at home the following week, will most likely decide if they are to grace the All-Ireland League next season. The squad would do well to steer clear of too much turkey over the festive season.