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The fourths made the short trip to Stormont last Saturday afternoon to
take on NICS thirds in a Corporate Coaching Junior League Three clash.
Unfortunately the match had to be played on the shale surface, and this
did not help obviously for a free flowing encounter. A rather scrappy and
fragmented affair was the end result, and a point for both teams thanks to
one goal apiece.
From the outset the Bangor side struggled to adapt to the bouncy surface,
and when they did mount some attacking movements the forwards were unable
to control. Civil Service took the lead midway through the half when a
cross from the right saw the left winger elude the fourths defence and
slot past a hapless Nick Craig in the Bangor goal.
The fourths had their best period of the game in the opening ten minutes
of the second half when they peppered the Service goal. Skipper Andrew
Walker was instrumental in these attacks as he built the play from his
central midfield role. Chances were created for forwards Gareth Stranaghan
and Keith Mulholland but the home custodian was sharp to deny them both.
The equaliser eventually came midway through the half when from a short
corner award John Poole’s effort was saved and when Mulholland followed up
his shot was deflected goalwards by Patrick McMillan. The remainder of the
game was stop start as both sides had players sin binned and chances
continued to be few and far between. However there looked to be a sting in
the tail when Service were awarded a penalty flick award in the last
minute, and the chance to claim all three points. Goalkeeper Nick Craig
though was the hero of the day as he maintained his concentration and
gleefully saved the penalty, and so his team returned to Bangor with a
point intact as opposed to none.
All in all the fourths did deserve the point they gained as they had as
much possession and created just as many chances as the home side. Fingers
crossed the team is back on astroturf this Saturday at Laurelhill against
South Antrim. |