Junior League 1 : Bangor 3 v 1 Banbridge 2s

WINNING STREAK CONTINUES

Saturday saw Bangor entertain a young and eager Banbridge side. On this occasion however, the odds were stacked in Bangor's favour as the home side were chasing an incredible 6th straight league win in a row.

Bangor started the sharper of the two sides and created a host or early opportunities. Macafee and Stranaghan both coming agonizingly close to creating the opener. The goal was overdue and eventually it arrived via a McNaught short corner strike.    

Bangor went in at the interval one nil up but were left wondering if they would rue the missed chances of the half.

Banbridge started much brighter in the second half and it was now Bangor who would have to defend. The pressure was beginning to show when P McCausland was yellow carded for a verbal attack on the umpire. Banbridge soon took advantage of the now weakened Bangor side and slotted in the equalizer.

Perhaps earlier in the season this Bangor side would have crumbled at this point but Bangor held on to weather the storm.

Once back to full strength 11, the game then began to swing in the home sides favour again, however the final finish still seems to be lacking. It was finally McNaught with a quick turn and shot who put Bangor back on top. The last third of the game saw both sides create opportunities but a solo run and superb slotted finish from Kirkpatrick wrapped up the three points for Bangor.

Ulster branch website now shows Bangor sitting joint second in this tightly contested league. Surely the requested top four finish from manager Shields is not within grasp for this team with is clearly on a high.