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Bangor 1st XI travelled to Kilkeel where the bleak weather conditions were
not mirrored by
the hockey, as the two sides served up a combination of some fairly inept
defending and
some fine attacking hockey.
The visitors started in a fairly controlled fashion, attacking with pace
and defending
soundly. However the timid start to the game was to change dramatically as
the hosts
introduced William Annett. He was to complete a hat-trick within 15
minutes of his
arrival as both teams attacked incessantly and defences were at sixes and
sevens. In
truth Kilkeel’s goals were invariably the result of some lapses of
concentration from the
Bangor team. This was evident in the first goal of the game. Bangor had a
long corner,
which was wasted and Kilkeel broke with pace. The ball found Annett around
the half way
line and as the Bangor defenders committed themselves to tackles he used
his pace to go
round the outside and deceived Tormey with his finish.
Bangor’s response was instant. They pressed forward from the restart and
McAuley won a
penalty corner. Reading finish was clinical from the switch. Parity did
not last long as
Bangor again gave possession away in a good position. As the returning
Hunter failed to
control Harte’s pass in a good position Kilkeel’s counter-attack was again
ruthless. The
ball found Annett in the circle whose cross-shot deflected of the foot of
the unlucky
Scales en route to the goal.
Bangor were back on level terms again swiftly. The ball was worked well
through Harte and
McAuley down the right hand side to find Hunter just outside the circle,
who was upended,
resulting in another Bangor penalty corner. This time the ball was
switched right to
Harte who found Lappin in acres of space at the top of the ‘D’. Lappin
coolly converted
for 2-2.
Kikeel finished the second half the stronger and deservedly restorede
their lead just
before the interval. On this occasion Adam Reading failed to clear his
lines at the edge
of the circle and Annett again capitalised as the Bangor defence was
second to react.
Half time Kilkeel 3-2 Bangor.
After a stern talking to from the coach at half time Bangor had hoped to
make a productive
start to the second half, instead the deficit was increased. Kilkeel had a
number of
opportunities to extend their lead before they scored their fourth as John
Tormey denied
first Cunningham and then Annett with fine saves. However it was a mix up
involving the
goal keeper that lead to Cunningham extending the hosts lead. The keeper
came out to
clear his lines only to find the feet of scales the ball ricocheting to
Cunningham who
slotted into the open net.
This did seem to act as the catalyst for Bangor as they enjoyed their best
spell of the
match. The lead was reduced to one as Dave McClune finished well to round
off a fine
goal. Jamie McAuley and Dawie Holley link very well in the right midfield
channel for the
former to find McClune in the circle with a fine pass. McClune’s finish
was excellent,
dispatching the ball into the bottom left had corner.
Bangor pressed forward and got a third equaliser through another short
corner. Again the
ball was switched right to Harte who played a speculative pass across the
circle were
Reading’s initial shot was bundled into the net by McAuley.
Bangor took the lead for the first time shortly after. Good work by
Campbell fed Hunter
in the circle, who turned and got a shot away with uncharacteristic haste
for 5-4.
No sooner had Bangor arrested some control in the game than their lead was
surrendered.
As Cunningham again scored to draw the scores level.
There was still time left for one final twist as neither side settled for
a share of the
spoils. Lappin found himself in the right wing channel, much to the dismay
of his coach,
but this dismay was to give way to joy as he took a free hit quickly to
find Hunter
unmarked at the back post. Hunter, who had been so profligate in front of
goal in the
same fixture last year, made no mistake.
The final few minutes were without incident and the Bangor side were very
relieved to
leave with all three points. This win leaves the side level on points with
Instonians in
5th place and a full nine points clear of last Saturday’s hosts. This
should ensure that
the focus is on upward movement rather than the relegation battle below
when the league
programme restarts in February. |