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Saturday brought the start of a new season for the 2nd XI with hopes of a
top three finish in the
league. The first fixture of the season was a tough one against league
champions Instonians. The
Shaw's bridge pitch was bathed in sunshine which was not going to make the
game any easier.
The team lined up with Ryan Cherry in goals; Graham Larmour, Phill
McCausland and Mike
Coughlin in defense and captain, Allen Irwin playing just in front of the
back three. In midfield
were Luke Brennin, Johnny Boyd and Jeremy Macafee providing support for
the upfront three of
Andrew McIlhagga, Johnny McNaught and Gareth Stranaghan. Gareth Stubbings,
John Poole and
Adam Douglas came on throughout the game with the many roll on roll off
substitutions due to
the heat.
Bangor started the game well controlling the first twenty minutes and,
after a large spell of
pressure, were rewarded with an opening goal. Allen Irwin was on hand to slot
home a rebound after a McNaught short corner attempt. Bangor fought to hold this
slender lead until half
time, mainly due to some last ditch defensive action by Phil McCausland
and Allen Irwin. The
second half proved to be a completely different game and Instonians
started to show some of the
form that gained them the league last year. After an increasing amount of
pressure on Cherry’s
goal, the home team soon got their equalizer, thanks to a reverse shot
from the left hand side. This
spurred the home side on and they soon took the lead with another well
worked goal. The
visitors were coming under more and more pressure from the home side, who
duly notched their
third goal of the game following a deflected cross from the right hand
side. A lapse in
concentration from the Bangor defence then gifted Instonians their forth
and the game looked out
of sight. However, to their credit, Bangor continued working hard and were
rewarded with a
consolation goal. After some confusion in the Instonian defence, Gareth
Stranaghan managed to
seize on the opportunity and give Bangor their second goal and late hope.
The game finished Instonians 4 – 2 Bangor. A disappointing start to the
season for the 2nds, but
hopefully fortunes will turn for the rest of the season with greater
things to come.
written by Ryan Cherry
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