Bangor Mens Hockey Club thirds inflicted a first league defeat of the season on current Corporate Coaching Junior League Three league leaders Instonians thirds thanks to a 3-0 scoreline at Ballykillare last Saturday afternoon.

A number of withdrawals and late cry offs, including skipper Gareth Stubbings who suffered from an elbow infection late in the week, meant it was a patched up thirds that took to the pitch with stand in captain Gareth Stranaghan at the helm. His pre match talk beforehand however clearly set out individual roles and responsibilities, and the team duly responded with an industrious performance.

From the outset the home side were in the ascendancy, Jonny Boyd busying himself in midfield and at the centre of many of the probings. Early opportunities were created, but Instonians had Ulster U21 goalkeeper Alistair Thom in goals, recently signed from Cookstown, and he was more than alert in keeping out the Bangor forwards. The deadlock was broken though just 10 minutes in when a Jeremy Macafee snapshot deflected off an Instonians defender past the hapless Thom. The home side continued to press, and were particularly dominant on the right side where Chris McClean and Ryan Tate were time and time again threatening in the final third. The second goal came from one such move, and when young Ryan Tate smashed into the circle towards Gareth Stranaghan who had temporarily lost his marker, the evergreen forward controlled, swivelled and slotted past Thom at the near post to make it 2-0.

In the second period the visitors began to pose more of a threat as they sought a way back into the game. Throughout the half the Bangor rearguard were called upon, and time and again they were up to the task. Robin Thompson had his usual steady performance in goal, whilst Michael Coughlin, Chris McClean, Mark Douglas and Ryan Tate were always alert to thwart the danger. Phi Skelly though gave a master class performance at sweeper with his timely interceptions, low tackles, and all round reading of the game. With Instonians having no joy in front of goal, the home side also threatened at times and indeed they grabbed that all important third goal just 6 minutes from time. It all came from an Instonians attack which was again broken up, and when McClean found Stranaghan in the centre of the pitch he led on an inch perfect pass between defenders into the path of Andrew McIlhagga who calmly fired into the corner of the net.

So it was three more valuable points gained for the thirds as they continue their charge up the league table, and a performance where every man played their part in a deserved victory. Another stern test follows this weekend away to Kilkeel.

Player of the match for Bangor was Phil Skelly, and many thanks to Graeme Laird for umpiring.