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The thirds faced a daunting trip to play a very strong and youthful
Banbridge team on Friday night. The Bangor team, fielding their usual
line-up, knew that it would be a difficult task to come away with
anything from the game. Bangor welcomed back Paddy Wood from university
into their midfield.
From the start, Banbridge set about taking the game to Bangor. Their
freeflowing hockey caused Bangor all sorts of problems in the early
moments of the game. They won two short corners in succession and scored
both. This was always going to be a difficult
position to come back from, but it got worse before half time. Banbridge
players found space with ease and ran Bangor ragged. Bangor offered
little of their own to the game, too often passes were intercepted and
tackles missed. The forwards suffered a chronic lack of service, and the
midfield and defence failed to make their tackles count. Banbridge
scored twice more before the half time whistle to make it 4 nil.
The half time whistle was welcomed from Bangor, as it gave them time to
regroup. The Bangor players knew that it would be very difficult
to claw their way back into the game, with Banbridge eager to push forward
at every opportunity. To Bangors' credit, their players did improve in the
second half. Their passing was better, the midfield stopped the Banbridge
team running the game. In all, the
team defended far better and stood up to their opponents. Bangor offered
little in attack until the closing stages. Their only memorable moment
was Reid's shot which was hit fiercely, unfortunately striking another
Bangor player.
Banbridge scored a 5th to make the final score 5 nil. Bangor in truth
didn't deserve anything but did well to limit Banbridge to only one goal
in the second half. A much better performance is needed this weekend,
when they host Antrim 2nds in the McClements Cup.
Many thanks to Scott Parker for umpiring. |