Bangor continued their woeful start to the season with a 5-0 loss away to Cookstown that was every bit as depressing as the horrendous weather the game was played in.

It was brutal day for all involved and Bangor resembled drowned rats as they dragged themselves from the Coolnafrankey pitch after a harsh lesson by the reigning league champions.

The start of the season has been tough for the Seasiders but in previous years they would have picked up a few points here and there by now. New coach Harry McNeill can only be too aware of the need to restore some confidence and fight in his players for the big games ahead.

They never really looked like taking anything from Saturdays clash with a sharp, well drilled Cookstown side. The County Tyrone side threw everything at Bangor in the opening exchanges and it was to Bangor, and particularly goalkeeper John Tormey's, credit that they weren't swamped in the opening 15 minutes.

Cookstown managed to score just once in that time with Timmy Smyth grabbing the first at the end of a free flowing attack.

Bangor battled hard in the hideous conditions when it was especially difficult as Cookstown held onto the ball for long stages. And their dominance got more reward as half time approached when Ian Sloan deflected home from their first penalty corner.

The visitors did have one good chance before the break. Michael Harte stole the ball in midfield and put Simon Hunter through on goal but he was stopped as Hughes came off his line quickly. Bangor really needed to grab every chance available if they wanted to get something from this difficult assignment.

They stuck to their task manfully at the start of the second half and for a long period it looked like Cookstown would be content to hold their two goal lead. But it was eventually a stupid individual error at the back which allowed Cookstown in again and Ivan Steen had a simple tap in to make it 3-0.

This clearly broke Bangor's spirit and the last 10 minutes became something of a target practice for the Cookstown forwards. That they only scored twice is a tribute to Tormey and one particularly athletic save on the line by young James Mottashaw.

The goals were added in the dying minutes by Mark Crookes and Andy Barbour and it condemned Bangor to bottom of the Premier League from local rivals North Down by goal difference. Not a position Bangor are used to but they have more than enough talent to play themselves into a middle of the table position before the season is out. The think is that's never as easy as it sounds.

This week Lisnagarvey come to Ballykillaire. In the corresponding fixture last season Bangor won 4-2. How they would love a similar result this year. It would prove a wonderful fillip before the crucial run of fixtures in November.

 

 

Written by Simon Hunter