Junior League One : Bandon 1 v 4 Bangor

BANGOR PROGRESS TO LAST 8 OF CUP

Bangor Mens Hockey Club seconds made the long and arduous trip to County Cork last weekend for an Irish Junior Cup tie against Bandon seconds, and after a pulsating clash emerged victorious by 4 goals to 1 at Bandon Grammar School. 
 

The contest commenced at a frenetic pace, with the Bangor side bossing the early exchanges without really testing the home goalie.  Bandon however soon began to impose themselves, moving the ball at a faster pace as well as some purposeful off the ball running enabling them to carve open the seconds rearguard with a flurry of attacks.  From one such foray midway through the half the home side took the lead with a simple tap in at the far post past the hapless Robin Thompson in the Bangor goal.  The seconds though were having enough of the ball and did begin to threaten more.  Following one marauding run from the impressive Kyle Dunn on the left which culminated in a short corner award, Jonny McNaught fired low and hard against the backboards to equalise for his side.  The Bangor side had other opportunities to go ahead before the half time interval, Gareth Stranaghan nearly getting on the end of a Jeremy Macafee snapshot which was just wide of the post and Michael Coughlin unlucky to be thwarted by a home defender following another good move involving McNaught and Stranaghan. 
 

At half time skipper Allen Irwin rallied his troops in his usual inimitable way, and my word how his players responded.  The first five minutes of the half belonged to Bandon, but the defence held firm with some timely tackles.  Michael Coughlin gave a gritty performance at sweeper, whilst Phil McCausland was immense with some timely interventions and a real desire to put his body on the line for his team.  Time and again he seemed to single handedly thwart the home forwards.  Chris McClean was efficient and assured at left back, whilst Ryan Elliott showed a real desire both in attack and defence and similarly gave a huge contribution.  After riding out this early pressure, that man Jonny McNaught got his and his team’s second when he again rifled home from the right side of the circle after being teed up by the industrious Andrew McCausland.  This goal really deflated the Cork side and from then on they seemed to commit many men forward and make many changes and rolling substitutions from the bench.  As a result, their play lacked the fluidity of the first half and the seconds were able to take advantage.  Time and again the Bangor forwards were able to test the home rearguard with McNaught, Stranaghan, Andrew McIlhagga and Kyle Dunn all seeing plenty of the ball.  Jeremy Macafee was his usual busy self on the left side of left midfield, and got his just reward when he made it 3-1 with a strike from a short corner.  Minutes later as the home side pushed forward in numbers, they were almost caught again when McNaught picked out his strike partner Stranaghan with an early ball into the opposition half.  However after doing the hard work and beating both the defender and goalkeeper, the evergreen forward managed to lose slight control of the ball in the circle which resulted in his effort rolling just wide.  A moment in the game that Stranaghan was reminded of on more than one occasion post match, indeed ex Bangor coach Stephen Jackson who was closely watching on the sidelines, was quick on the scene at the final whistle remarking how some things never change with his usual wry smile.  The contest was far from over at this stage as Bandon continued to press, and when they were fortuitously awarded a penalty stroke with just 8 minutes to play it looked as if they were going to give their watching home supporters a grandstand finish.  Step forward Bangor custodian, the experienced Robin Thompson, and a man who seemed to have acquired an extra ounce of motivation for this tie.  He brilliantly saved low to his right, and ultimately confirmed his side’s place in the last 8 of the competition.  There was still time left for Bandon to have a man sin binned and for the visitors to add a fourth goal when Kyle Dunn finished off splendidly after some excellent interchanging of passes on the left side of the pitch. 
 

All in all, it was a committed and spirited performance from the seconds with all 12 men playing a full part.  A long weekend for all with the travel involved, but it is in matches and trips such as this one where a unity is built and the bond this team now has may well just carry them that bit further in the remaining weeks of the season. 
 

Player of the match for Bangor was Jonny McNaught, and many thanks to the Bandon club for all their hospitality and help in arrangements.  Next up for the seconds in the quarter finals is Dublin YMCA seconds at home on 13 March.

written by Gareth Stranaghan