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Bangor 3rds hosted Banbridge 4ths last Saturday on the back of two
defeats and with a depleted, though very youthful, team through injury
and call-ups. So, to come away with a 3-nil victory was an excellent
result against a team ahead of them in the league table.
Bangor started the game brightly, slick passing between the midfield
and the forwards creating space and good positions to attack the
visiting rearguard, even if clear goalscoring opportunities were at a
premium. Both Savage and McNaught were thwarted by Bann's young keeper
as the home team tried to establish an early lead, both players
linking up well with the impressive Reid on the right wing.
Midway through the half, Bangor's dominance of possession told – a
flowing move from the back, initiated by Stubbings, finished with
Parker and Reid forcing the defence into conceding a short corner.
McNaught's shot from Savage's push out was too hot for the keeper to
handle, ricocheting into the goals from the top of his pads, for a
well deserved Bangor lead, which they held until half time, without
any undue concern to Irvine in the Bangor goals.
The second half started in much the same vein as the first, with
Bangor dominant and pushing forward with speed and purpose. Elliott
and McCausland worked tirelessly in midfield, often breaking down
Bann's attacks before they had really begun. A second goal for Bangor
duly arrived, again from a short corner, with McNaught exchanging
passes with Reid at the top of the circle before firing past the
bemused Bann keeper.
This setback seemed to spur on the visiting team a little more and the
remainder of the game was a much more even affair. On a couple of
occasions Irvine saved smartly and the defence of Stubbings, Douglas,
Larmour and Kirkpatrick tackled and intercepted as if their life
depended on a clean sheet. Just though when it seemed that Bann might
get back into the game, a third short corner goal from McNaught, 5
minutes from time, settled the game and the two points for the home
team. Having seen his initial shot saved, McNaught smashed the
rebound, and very nearly one of his own teammates, high into the net
for his hat-trick.
This was a very good performance from what was a very youthful team,
demonstrating that quick, simple passing and movement will create
opportunities and ultimately, victories as the 3rds aim to push
towards the top of the league.
Many thanks to Timmy Campbell and Chris Harte for umpiring.
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