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Bangor 2nds travelled to Cookstown last Saturday on the back of a recent
impressive run of results. As a result, confidence in the team was high
and nothing short of a victory would suffice.
The game started brightly with plenty of free flowing hockey on display.
Indeed Bangor started the brightest of the two teams, imposing themselves
well in the early exchanges. The visitors were controlling the ball in
midflield allowing the forwards to roam free searching for the killer
pass. At the back, the defence looked as solid as ever while still
providing the impetus for many of the attacking moves.
Bangor took the lead after some excellent work down the right side. The
ball was eventually fired at the home 'keeper who made a good save high to
his right. Luckily for Bangor, Manogue was on hand to volley in the
rebound.
Bangor continued to battle, sensing that the game could be killed off
early. Lamour and McCausland were particularly effective in the attacking
third, while Gowdy and Irwin at the back kept Bangor in the ascendancy by
dealing with any Cookstown attacks. Bangor soon doubled their advantage
with the clinical Manogue profitting from the efforts of McNaught and
McDowell on the right hand side.
Half time came and went, with much needed words of wisdom from captain
Shields. Bangor once again started the half in control of the game and it
was not long before McDowell had bagged Bangors third goal with a booming
strike from the top of the circle. Not for the first team this season,
Bangor looked comfortable.
Cookstown did set the Bangor nerves jangling somewhat when they managed to
breach the Bangor defence. This did signal a period of pressure by the
home side, but Bangor were able to ride out the storm, with Hamill and
Kirkpatrick particularly impressive at the centre of things.
An important win for the seconds, who must look to keep the momentum built
up over the past few weeks and continue to climb up the table. |