Keith Mulholland rolled back the years with a vintage performance as he led Bangor Mens Hockey Club thirds to another 3 points in a 6-1 victory against Lisnagarvey fifths in this Corporate Coaching Junior League Three fixture at a rain-lashed Bangor Sportsplex last Friday evening. 

The opening exchanges were scrappy, but the thirds have been on a good run in recent weeks and it wasn’t long before they found themselves in the ascendancy once again.  An excellent move down the right involving Michael Coughlin and Keith Mulholland culminated in Gareth Stranaghan sweeping the ball home from close in to put the home side a goal up.  The thirds continued to press, and indeed dominated possession but they were not making this possession count.  Opportunities went astray, Kyle Dunn unfortunate to see his effort blaze over the crossbar, whilst Phil Skelly who was industrious throughout, also saw a shot fly just wide.  The second goal eventually came just before the half time interval when Mulholland finished with aplomb from the top of the circle. 

At the beginning of the second period the visitors had their best passage of play, and really ought to have scored on one or two occasions.  They were made to pay when the Bangor side grabbed that all important third goal when skipper Gareth Stubbings smashed home from the top of the circle.  From then on the thirds continued to probe, with Dawie Holley in central midfield at the forefront of many of these attacking moves.  The fourth goal came following some good work on the right between Dunn and Stranaghan, and this time Mulholland was on hand to tuck home a couple of yards from goal.  Stranaghan then grabbed his second when he controlled another Mulholland effort on his reverse, his momentum carrying the ball over the line.  With the contest by this stage flowing from end to end in the driving rain, goalscoring opportunities continued to be created by both sides.  Lisnagarvey scored a consolation with a well taken strike that gave Ryan Cherry in the Bangor goal no chance to make it 5-1.  However it was the final goal to make it 6-1 that was the best, and it was that man Mulholland again.  As the ball fell into his path near the top of the circle, he unleashed a bullet of a shot into the top corner of the net past the despairing Lisnagarvey custodian.  Applause from the sidelines summed up the strike, a sublime effort from the evergreen forward who not that long ago was gracing Senior League 1. 

A creditable all round performance by the thirds in which every player contributed.  This Saturday table toppers Instonians thirds are the visitors at the Sportsplex, and this will be the ultimate test for Gareth Stubbings’ improving side. 

A special thanks to both Michael Harte and Andrew McIlhagga who both braved the elements to umpire.  Player of the match was Keith Mulholland.

 

Written by Gareth Stranaghan