Junior League One : Banbridge 4 v 4 Bangor

TAIL OF TWO HALVES FOR SECONDS

 

Bangor 2nds travelled to Banbridge to take on their third eleven on Friday night. With a number of key personnel missing and only eleven players, Bangor were still confident and looking to build upon last weekend's first win of the season.

The visitors started the game very brightly. Some slick passing moves on the counter attack exposed weaknesses in the Banbridge defence that allowed the Bangor forwards to take full advantage. Two goals from McNaught and one a piece for Morton and Savage would give the Bangor side a four goal lead at halftime.

The opening half however was not as one sided as the score line suggests. A high press by Banbridge caused the Bangor defence to struggle to get the ball out from the back. Periods of sustained pressure within the Bangor half resulted in a number of short corners and goal scoring opportunities, all of which the home side failed to convert.

Bangor’s fortunes in the first half came to an abrupt end at the beginning of the second. With four goals up at halftime the game should have been beyond the Banbridge side. However Bangor’s lack of respect for a side that had been equally threatening but less clinical in the first half was to prove costly.

Some poor ball control, errant passing and bad decision making allowed a determined Banbridge side back into the game. Allowing four unanswered goals the sides were level with ten minutes to play. Both teams had chances of winning the game. Bangor were forced to survive a flurry of four short corners in a row whilst at the other end both McNaught and Morton found themselves in space but were unable to work the keeper.

A disappointed Bangor side left Banbridge feeling that two points had been lost rather than a point gained. The soft nature of a number of the Banbridge goals was particularly disappointing. Bangor must learn from this and will be looking to respond quickly against Kilkeel Seconds on Saturday.