Nothing could have proved as disappointing as the previous week's thrashing but Bangor's loss, 3-1 away to Kilkeel, at the weekend just might come close.

That's because the Seasider's dominated the game for long periods but ultimately came away with nothing as their Achilles heel for the season again cost them.

Losing the ball too easily has been a problem for Bangor all season and Saturday's loss to the south Down side can be directly tracked to two blunders in the second half when Bangor were actually in the ascendancy. With the game poised at 1-1 and Bangor playing the more fluent hockey they twice gave the ball away and watched as 10 to 15 seconds later goalkeeper John Tormey was picking it out of the back of the net.

Bangor played with a structure and discipline they've been lacking for most of the season and the positioning of Chris Campbell centrally by coach Harrry McNeill was causing Kilkeel a good few problems in the opening exchanges. But it was Kilkeel who took the lead from their first penalty corner midway through the half with a powerful low shot.

The Seasiders struck back almost immediately through another collector's item of a goal from Gareth Morton. Bangor made good headway down the right flank and then Michael Manogue played the ball into the circle. A defender's touch deflected the ball into the air and as everyone else watched, the centre forward spun and half-volleyed the ball into the bottom corner.

Bangor continued to play the better hockey either side of the break but their only reward was a series of penalty corners that couldn't bring them the lead. Kilkeel still looked sharp on the break with Annett in particular causing problems when on the ball.

And he was involved in what proved to be the winner 15 minutes into the second period. The ball was given away cheaply Kilkeel struck, giving Tormey no chance. And they repeated the dose from an almost identical defensive mishap just two minutes later. From being level and playing well Bangor were suddenly chasing the game.

That proved difficult and apart from a few penalty corners and a half chance from Campbell Bangor never really threatened to get back on level terms. They were further hampered by the loss of Steven McLean to injury. A nasty blow to the finger ended his match and possibly his season. Bangor will be relieved that they may have found his replacement in James Trimble, who had one of his best games for the first eleven.

Bangor have no game this week due to their early departure from the Irish Senior Cups but could possibly be in action again on Tuesday evening in a rearranged league fixture away to Banbridge. That should prove another challenge for a side that are increasingly looking at survival in the Premier League as their only realistic objective.

 

 

Written by Simon Hunter