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The seconds welcomed current leaders of Corporate Coaching Junior League
One, Instonians seconds, to Ballykillare last Saturday afternoon for their
last fixture in 2007. An enthralling contest from start to finish, the
home side were worthy victors following a polished performance which
resulted in a 3-0 victory.
Allen Irwin assumed the captaincy duties due to the absence of the
holidaying Clarke, and he along with the other defensive protagonists of
Irvine, Cooper, Gowdy, Kerrigan and McCausland were largely faultless in
their overall play throughout this fixture. The match began at a frenetic
pace, the visitors probably having the better of the early exchanges as
the tempo of their play was so much higher. However as the match wore on,
the seconds began to impose themselves more and more and indeed caused the
Instonians rearguard all sorts of problems with their quick counter
attacks and direct approach. The opening goal came midway through the
first half when McClune, who had made an instant impact having come off
the bench, slipped a perfect pass into the path of an onrushing Boyd, and
the midfielder slapped past a hapless Seay in the visitors goal. This
spurred the home side on, and before the half they were able to double the
lead with another one of those swift counter attacks. This time Kirk was
the benefactor following one of his trademark marauding runs from
midfield. His squared pass inside the circle towards the front running duo
of McClune and Stranaghan was intercepted and turned into his own goal by
an Instonians defender. Other Bangor chances in the half saw a Gowdy short
corner effort brilliantly turned away by Holloway on the line, and
excellent saves from Seay to deny a reverse stick effort from Cooper and a
point blank shot from Stranaghan. Irvine in the home goal also made some
excellent stops from the visitors efforts on goal.
The second half saw Instonians push men forward to try and claw their way
back, but as this left them a little exposed defensively the seconds were
able to create the better of the opportunities. The third goal eventually
came midway through the half when after good work again from McClune,
Ormsby was on hand to slot home from close in. Just reward for the shaven
haired midfielder’s industry all season, on his penultimate game before
commencing his travels. The seconds defence remained solid in dealing with
any of the Instonians forays, brilliantly marshalled by Irwin, and indeed
the defenders were instrumental in setting up many of the side’s attacking
moves. The midfield of Boyd, Kirk, Cox and McDowell proverbially worked
their socks off and played an integral role throughout the 70 minutes,
whilst Trimble had the thankless task of keeping tabs on the influential
Cooke, a job he did very well. Other chances came about, the best of which
probably fell to McClune at the top of the circle after Stranaghan had
found him with a pinpoint cross from the right wing, but alas the goal
that would have capped his performance went begging, as he fired over the
crossbar.
All in all, a deserving victory for the seconds and a performance that was
high in quality and can hopefully be repeated in the fixtures that lie
ahead. The player of the match vote saw Nick Irvine just pip Scott Cooper
and Dave McClune.
Many thanks to Robbie McMinn for staying behind after the firsts game and
umpiring. |