Bangor Mens Hockey Club fourths travelled to a chilly Shaws Bridge last Saturday afternoon to take on Instonians thirds in a top of the table Corporate Coaching Junior League Three clash.  In what was an entertaining contest throughout, a 2-2 draw was in the end probably a fair reflection of the proceedings. 
 

For a change it was the Bangor side that controlled the opening exchanges, as there seemed a determination to get a result at this difficult venue.  It was only ten minutes in when they took the lead, and not for the first time this season it was that man Gareth Stranaghan who scored.  A free flowing move from midfield culminated in John Poole releasing Keith Mulholland, and when he deftly nudged past a home defender into the path of Stranaghan, the finish was clinical.  This goal prompted the home side into action, and indeed it was they who dominated for the remainder of the first period.  Instonians became the hungrier side and indeed they got their reward when they scored twice, the second of which was a fine reverse stick effort.  If truth be told the visitors did contribute to these goals by failing to clear their lines properly.  The fourths did create other opportunities as well, usually on the counter attack, with Poole going close with high efforts that were either saved by the goalie or went over the bar.  Just before the interval parity was achieved when from a penalty corner that had been won by Poole, Patrick McMillan fired hard into the bottom corner to make it 2-2. 
 

The second half did flow from end to end as both sides sought an advantage, but all too often the final ball was lacking.  The visitors probably had the best of the opportunities, again with some swift counter attacks which resulted in chances for Stranaghan, Poole, Mulholland and Aaron Savage.  However there was a lack of sharpness in the circle and the chances went begging.  Instonians also had penalty corners, but the Bangor defence was able to thwart any danger with some timely tackles.  McMillan was instrumental in this rearguard action. 
 

A battling point for the fourths which will cement the fourths position in the top half of Junior League Three.  A word of mention and thanks to Neil Martin for umpiring in the second half.