Junior League 1 : Kilkeel 4 v 1 Bangor

SECONDS STUTTERING SEASON CONTINUES

Bangor Mens Hockey Club seconds made the arduous journey to Kilkeel last Saturday afternoon to take on a Kilkeel seconds side that is flirting dangerously with the relegation zone in Corporate Coaching Junior League One.  Thankfully the Bangor side have thus far accumulated 17 points in this season’s campaign, and whilst certainly not a guarantee of Junior One hockey next term, history seems to stipulate that it should be enough to avoid relegation.  Just as well really, as this fixture again highlighted the distinct lack of quality within the Bangor ranks for what is required to compete at this level.  A 4-1 defeat for the second week running, but it is the manner of these two defeats that is most disappointing as in both matches the final scoreline could and should have been much worse. 
 

Last Saturday the seconds found themselves two goals down within the opening four minutes of play.  Both goals were a carbon copy of one another, when from Bangor attacks the home side broke at pace, a couple of incisive passes later and Robin Thompson was picking the ball out of his goal having had no chance with either.  The visitors rallied, and indeed for the next quarter of the game, they were the better team.  Some glorious chances were created for the front running trio of Clarke, Edwards and Stranaghan but neither were able to capitalise.  McClune did pull one back after some neat interchanging with first Clarke and then Edwards, but Kilkeel soon regained their 2 goal cushion with a penalty corner effort. 
 

At the beginning of the second half the Bangor side huffed and puffed a little, but there was little urgency and there certainly was little sharpness as all too often passes went astray or Kilkeel were first to the ball.  The best chances probably came at the short corner awards, Kerrigan and Irwin were denied with efforts whilst Stranaghan really ought to have done better with his opportunity.  As the half wore on the visitors gradually deteriorated as players continually held onto the ball, continued to misplace their passes, or remonstrated with the umpires. With just 11 players travelling, there was no room for variation and indeed the team was fortunate just to concede one more.  If truth be told, the air of despondency was obvious and it looked a relief when the final whistle sounded.  A poor all round performance, the pick of the seconds players probably Gowdy at left back who put in a creditable performance. 
 

So with five games to go the seconds somehow need to find a way to lift morale and try and raise some encouragement before the season comes to a close.  The reverse fixture against Kilkeel in a couple of weeks time one would think should get those competitive juices flowing again, but before that is a trip to Hillsborough and Lisnagarvey seconds on Saturday week.  Hopefully the next press report will read more positively.