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Another Saturday, another loss in a tight game to one of
the top teams in the Premier League for Bangor. This week it was
Lisnagarvey and the score was 4-2.
Before the game the Seasiders were hopeful that with the Hillsborough
side's slow start to the season and their own new found solidity, that
something could be gained from the game.
But for the second week in a row individual errors at key stages ensured
that wouldn't be the case.
Lisnagarvey opened the scoring in the first 10 minutes when Timmy Cochram
found room inside the circle and fired across John Tormey into the far
corner of the goal.
Until that moment Bangor had matched the visitors without ever really
threatening their goal. But they raised their game and came back to
equalise soon after.
Jeremy Macafee did well to win a penalty corner - injuring himself in the
process and playing no further part - and when the rebound fell to Jamie
McAuley he fired the ball in off a defender on the line.
But Bangor weren't level for long. After drawing level they were attacking
deep in the Lisnagarvey half when a misplaced pass cost them possession.
Quickly the ball was moved to the far end of the pitch and despite the
best efforts of Adam Reading and Tormey they were outnumbered and the ball
fell to Stuart McNeice for a simple back post tap-in to make it 2-1.
It stayed like that to the break and Bangor came out in the second half
keen to grab the next goal and get something from the game. Play swung
from end to end but neither side really tested the opposition's goalkeeper
until Lisnagarvey struck the killer blow midway through the half.
The sad thing was it had to come from a defensive mistake from a player
who had been almost faultless until that point. Former international Mark
Raphael did not need offering twice and he coolly slotted past Tormey when
gifted the ball at the top of the circle.
Bangor were then guilty of trying to win the game with one attack and
threw caution to the wind despite there still being over 15 minutes left.
They did force a number of penalty corners and from one Gareth Morton had
the ball in the net, only for play to be brought back for an earlier foul.
That was to be their last hope as Lisnagarvey again surged up the pitch to
grab a fourth and ultimately decisive goal through Steven Johnston.
There was to be one more goal - this time from Bangor - but it was too
little too late when Simon Hunter was on hand to find the bottom corner
after good work from Mark Lappin and Michael Harte.
Three points from three games may not look the worst start to the season
for Bangor but they can quickly become isolated from the top four if they
fail to pick up points in the next few weeks. This Saturday they travel to
Banbridge and will be hopeful of getting something out of the game. In
each of the last two seasons they have left Havelock Park with a point,
they would probably settle for that again this season.
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