On Saturday, Bangor 2s travelled to the Glade to play Mossley 2s. The fixture the previous season had resulted in a drubbing for the Bangor men, and they were desperate to put the record straight.

Although they were missing several players from their battling performance the week before, they entered the game confidently. This confidence was, however, short lived. Mossley took the lead within minute, albeit in dubious fashion, a cross from the left wing deflected off a Bangor stick and went in. A Mossley forward to have claimed to have gotten a final touch, a goal was given. This set the tone for the first half, at times the Bangor side looked to be out of sorts and decision making was poor. Mossley increased the lead to 3 nil within the opening 10 minutes. A cross to the back post was slotted home and a long, high ball into the Bangor circle was well taken by a Mossley forward, then coolly despatched past the helpless Thompson. This seemed to spur Bangor, as they began to some play decent hockey, with McNaught and Trimble beginning to impose themselves on their opposite numbers. Bangor started to create several chances of their own, after good work by the forwards, but they could not match the home side’s ruthlessness in front of goal. However, they were caught on the counter attack and Mossley scored again to make it four.

The game was becoming stretched, with chances for both teams. These were put wide from Mossley, after several saves and some last ditch tackling. It was on one of these chances for Bangor that they grabbed a lifeline. Good work on the right wing by Stranaghan resulted in the ball being centred to Manogue, who finished calmly. With half time approaching, Bangor were again caught on the break and conceded a fifth.

The second half began tensely, as Bangor were desperate not to concede again. Unfortunately, they had not learned from their mistakes in the first half and concede 2 further goals. The first was a smart back post finish, the second as another dubious goal and the Bangor defence claimed that the ball hit the post but didn’t cross the line. The umpire disagreed. At 7-1 down, Bangor at last found some resolve. After a coming together in the Bangor circle, McCausland was sent to the corner. With 10 men, Bangor defended frantically and managed to deny Mossley any real chance.

As McCausland returned, Mossley were reduced to 10. Bangor made the extra man count and began to apply some sustained pressure for the first time. They created a number of good chances and won short corners, but the keeper made good saves. The sinbined Mossley player returned to the pitch, but within minutes Mossley was again reduced to 10, after Poole was cruelly brought down on the right wing. Again Bangor made create chances, but this time took one of them. Stranaghan picked up the ball on the break, drove into the circle and beat the keeper before putting the ball in the empty net to make it 7-2 shortly before the final whistle.

Bangor were well beaten, and must learn from their mistakes if they are to have any chances in the next game against Raphoe in the Irish Junior Cup. Many thanks to Harry McNeill for umpiring.