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Raphoe travelled to
Bangor for a one o’clock start on the first grey Saturday in December. As
usual between Bangor and Raphoe, this was a keenly contested game. Bangor
came out on top as 2 – 0 winners.
Just two minutes into the game, Gareth Stranaghan found himself free in
the Raphoe circle following a nifty turn, unfortunately the shot travelled
just wide of the Raphoe goal.
Bangor dominated the game from the start, Johnny Boyd excelling in the
strong mid-field including Ormsby and Brennan. Campbell, Stranaghan and
Trimble were industrious in attack. Five minutes in Brennan and Campbell
combined to win a short corner. Irwin’s shot was well blocked by the
Raphoe keeper at the expense of another short corner. From the resultant
corner, Gowdy summoned up a superb drag flick which rifled into the Raphoe
goal, to give Bangor a deserved lead.
Raphoe did threaten, but were largely limited to counter attacks. On
one such attack, they conjured up a three on two, however, Irvine in
the Bangor goal forced the play wide and out.
For the most part, Gowdy, Irwin, McCausland and McClelland were well in
control in defence. On 25 minutes a pass from the back found Brennan
surging from mid-field. A quick ball was passed to Campbell inside
the Raphoe circle, who controlled instantly and cleverly won another short
corner. Change of tactic saw an attempt to switch the ball to Stranaghan,
unfortunately, the pass from Irwin was on the strong side and the corner
came to nothing.
McIlhagga was introduced as a replacement for Luke Brennan as Irwin,
Stranaghan and McIlhagga combined to force a good save from the Raphoe
keeper. Bangor continued to impose themselves on the game but
could not at to their tally before the half time whistle sounded.
The second half commenced with Bangor knowing that against a determined
Raphoe team a 1 goal lead would not be sufficient to secure maximum
points. However, Bangor continued where they left off being the being the
dominant force in the second half and again restricting Raphoe to
occasional counter attacks.
Early on Boyd combined with Stranaghan to release McIlhagga whose shot was
saved well by the Raphoe keeper.
James Mottashaw made his first appearance for Bangor seconds at right back
replacing Ormsby. Boyd continued to run the show from centre mid-field
showing great determination and guile. Gowdy made a fantastic interception
with 15 minutes left on the clock, his pin point pass found Boyd in the
centre who off loaded to McIlhagga. McIlhagga drove towards the Raphoe
circle clipping the ball to Stranaghan, in a flash the net bulged and
Bangor had the 2 goal lead they had been so desperately seeking.
Raphoe rallied towards the end of the game and with three minutes to go,
looked certain to score but the effort was met with a magnificant save
from Irvine.
The game finished with Bangor as 2 – 0 winners.
Man of the Match – Johnny Boyd
Many thanks to Davy Shields and Timmy Campbell for umpiring.
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