Bangor regained their upward curve at the tail end of this disappointing season with a spirited and highly entertaining 2-2 draw with Instonians last week.

The game was rearranged to midweek after it had initially been cancelled because of the heavy frost following Christmas.

But there was nothing to stop Bangor and the Old Boys slugging it out this time and they served up a hotly contested game for the few brave souls that turned out to watch. It means that Bangor are now four games unbeaten and have feel considerably more secure in the likelihood of still being in the Premier League next season.

They were also helped by Raphoe beating Mossley meaning they are now above both sides - though, they do both have more games to play. Bangor have just Annadale and Lisnagarvey to play and will be trying to pick up as many points as possible for an added cushion as they watch their relegation rivals' results roll in.

And if they can deservedly share the points with Instonians - who went into the game in second place in the Premier League - then no one should hold any fears for them. It's ill timed that just as coach Harry McNeill is really beginning to exert his influence on the team the games are running out and the dismal form before Christmas could still come back to bite them.

Before the Instonians game McNeill challenged his players to prove that their 2-2 draw with Raphoe was merely a blip at the end of a tough week and they did just that with a rousing start and intelligent display.

Bangor took the lead after only eight minutes when a fast- free flowing move was coolly finished off on the reverse side by Dave McClune. Over half the Bangor side played the ball in the build up to the goal and fittingly for a team goal it was a good team man who got on the end of it.

Instonians are rightly known for this fighting spirit and they bounced back straight away. First Mark Robinson fired home a penalty corner and two minutes after that he had another effort well saved by John Tormey only for Chris Kirk to be left unmarked to knock in the rebound and give the Belfast side the lead.

And they held that lead through to the break. They could have extended it before the sides turned round but Bangor stuck to their task and got to half-time only a goal down. In the second period they were much the better side, constantly hurrying and harrying Instonians, scoring the only goal and going much closer to grabbing a winner in the dying minutes.

The equaliser game from Chris Campbell. He had been sorely missed against Raphoe and the diminutive midfielder was on hand to lash the ball high into the net after another slick team move and set-up from the energetic Michael Manogue.

Bangor did have their chances to go ahead once again but couldn't find that finishing touch when in good positions. There was also a couple of scares for Bangor but the defence held firm - needing the help of the post at one stage.

Still, a draw against a team who thrashed them twice earlier this season is a sign of how far the squad has come. Who knows what they could achieve if they got themselves in order by September, not January?

 

 

Written by Simon Hunter