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Rarely can a Bangor side have taken so much optimism from losing 1-0
and being knocked out of a cup competition.
But that's what they did on Saturday after losing to Cookstown by a
late goal in their final group game in the Kirk Cup.
It was always unlikely that Bangor were going to qualify from the
group, following their shock loss to Portadown the previous week, and
it is a credit to the team that they knuckled down and worked hard
despite knowing they had little or no chance of going through.
In previous seasons Bangor have conceded five, six and even seven when
playing away to the Tyrone side so Saturday's game was the tightest in
Cookstown by some margin. In fact, had it gone slightly different
during a good spell in the second half Bangor could have possibly been
the winners.
The first sign that it was going well for Bangor was the introduction
of Irish international Andrew Barbour from the bench after 25 minutes.
He had not been due to play but Cookstown were having such difficulty
breaking down the Bangor defence he was called into action.
Almost immediately he made a difference and goalkeeper John Tormey had
to be alert to save from him with Andrew Gowdy then mopping up the
scraps. Barbour then rounded Tormey but fired wide and Bangor began to
sense it might be there day.
At half-time coach Robbie McMinn reminded the team the job was only
half done and that there was still much to do. If anything the second
half performance was better because Bangor started to attack more and
force Cookstown onto the back foot. They were getting particular
success down the right flank through the energetic Chris Campbell and
forced a number of penalty corners which threatened to break the
deadlock.
But chances were still at a premium. Simon Hunter narrowly missed
connecting with a clever Campbell pass when the goalkeeper was beaten
and Reading was stopped from scoring at a penalty corner by a last
ditch tackle.
In defence Bangor were still working hard and keeping the Cookstown
opportunities down to a minimum. Gowdy was a revelation at right back
- epitomised by two superb tackles in quick succession in the last few
minutes of the game.
Just as it looked like the game would finish scoreless Cookstown
struck with what was to prove the winner. Barbour was inevitably
involved. He turned and appeared to shoot wide but the ball found
Colin Donaldson lurking outside the post and he tapped in an easy
winner.
Bangor had one last effort on goal when the tireless Dave McClune
swept a reverse stick effort at goal and could only watch as it
rebounded out off the right hand post.
They may have lost but Bangor can take some regained confidence into
their game against Mossley this Saturday. They don't normally do well
at the Glade and will be keen to make a solid start to the season
against the newly promoted side. A hard working performance like last
week should serve them well. |