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When Cork Harlequins last travelled to Bangor in the Irish Senior Cup the
hospitality of the home side stretched to conceding a 3 goal lead in the
first 15 minutes. Harlequins ran out 6 – 1 winners and went on to win the
trophy. Alas for Bangor the Cork club are in a position to repeat that
feat but the manner in which they secured their advance was oh so
different this time.
On an afternoon both damp and dismal (the floodlights were on from the
start) Bangor elected to face the elements and they were rewarded for this
gamble by some easing of the rain. Both sides were content to retain
possession and get used to the pace of the pitch but it was Bangor who
made the more positive moves. After 10 minutes an attempted long hit into
the circle by Michael Harte was mis-stopped by John Hobbs. Strangely it
rebounded 20 yards back to Harte who advanced quickly to the 25 before
firing a pin-point pass to Mark Lappin on the left and his control and
quick shot brought the first of several fine saves out of Chris Daunt.
As the fair but competitive exchanges continued (Umpires Groves and
McCully did not need to display a single card) it was again Bangor who
threatened. Jamie McAuley broke from half-way and fed Chris Campbell. He
weaved some close control magic and got the ball through to Dave McClune
just a few yards out. However he brought the ball in too close and Daunt
again snuffed out the threat. Almost on the half hour Lappin relieved some
‘Quins pressure and sent McClune up the left. He resisted several tacklers
and produced an exquisite reverse stick pass to the on-rushing McAuley,
but his shot didn’t match the build up.
It was only in the last few minutes of the half that ‘Quins posed any real
threat. A corner was conceded for back-chat but skipper John Tormey saved
Rob Hobbs’ powerful flick. The break came just after a rare right wing
attack and cross had eluded 3 ‘Quins forwards and Bangor retired to the
Athletics track goals well pleased with their efforts thus far.
Cork improved their speed at the resumption but for long stretches the
play became rather nondescript as the rain intensified. Bangor forced a
short corner but Daunt’s initial save of Adam Reading’s shot was scrambled
away. The deadlock was broken mid way through the second period. A lapse
in concentration at a quick free led to a penalty corner and John Hobbs
beat Tormey with a strong flick from a switch. This was a body blow for
the home team whose record in playing “catch up” hockey has not always
been good. If you looked at the wealth of Inter-provincial and
International experience on the Harlequins’ team sheet the prospects
seemed as bleak as the weather.
However though ‘Quins did bring the best out of Tormey in a couple of
break outs it was Bangor who dominated the remaining exchanges. Five
further short corners were won and Daunt saved with pads, “gloves” and
stick from Reading’s strikes. One rebound came to Dawie Holley but he was
adjudged to have infringed. Penetrating runs from McClune and Campbell
(twice), stretched the defence but they held out to the final whistle and
go forward to the 4th round draw knowing that no matter how far they
progress they will face few stronger challenges. Bangor’s lack of fire
power (injuries to Morton, Hunter, Macafee and Clarke have seriously
strained resources in this area) will hopefully be addressed by
recoveries. In the meantime it is to be hoped that the excellent play
which the team is putting together will be augmented by more palatable
results after this week off. |