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Bangor thirds took the field expecting a tough encounter against Antrim
2nds but what unfolded was a rather one sided affair that saw Bangor put 6
past the visitors.
Bangor started well, playing the ball at pace, strong in the tackle and
not letting the visitors get out of their half. The constant pressure paid
off and within the first 10 minutes Bangor were ahead, a shot from the top
of the circle from Poole deflected in by an Antrim defender.
Mcafee and Boyd were able to dominate the midfield and caused the visiting
defence all sorts of problems. The home side did not have to wait to long
for their second goal. A well worked move down the right found Michael
Coughlin whose pinpoint cross found the onrushing midfielder Reid, who
calmly found the bottom corner to put Bangor 2 goals to the good.
Antrim rarely threatened Thompson in the Bangor goal, and even when the
visitor's did when a couple of short corners, these were easily dealt
with. Bangor’s third goal came about due to good pressure on the Antrim
hit outs. Bangor positioned themselves well and marked their men closely.
The ball was hit straight to Walker who was able to run into the circle
and fire a shot low into the net, giving the keeper no chance.
The fourth goal came just before half time and it came courtesy of
Bangor’s first short corner of the half. A shot well saved by the keeper
after a Mottashaw flick fell to P.McMillan who found the net to give
Bangor an unassailable cushion going into the half time break.
The start of the second half saw Antrim come out the stronger side. This
period of pressure early in the half resulted in the visitors being able
to grab a goal back. The goal itself was somewhat fortuitous, as a mishit
short corner strike somehow found its way under Thompson. Nevertheless,
this represented a clear warning to Bangor to up their game to the
standard of the opening half.
As the half progressed, both teams had chances, but it was Bangor who
found the goal next. It came from a great break away run by Mottashaw from
inside his own half, drawing two defenders with him and his pass picking
out McIlhagga whose reverse shot was helped on its way by Mottashaw,
tapping in from close range.
The sixth and final goal for the home side came from another short corner.
The spritely McMillan was again on hand to follow up the initial short
corner strike by Macafee, cooly slotting home past the stranded 'keeper.
A comfortable win for the thirds in the end, but unfortunately too late on
in the season to make any impact to a poor season at the end of which,
relegation awaits.
Thanks for Timmy Campbell for umpiring. |