Bangor Mens Hockey Club third string continued their surge up the Corporate Coaching Junior  League Three table with a comfortable 8-2 victory against Mossley fourths at a sun kissed Bangor Sportsplex last Saturday afternoon.

Gareth Stubbings’ charges have not tasted defeat since early November, and within 12 minutes of  this game starting the points were virtually assured as the home side gained an unassailable lead with 3 quickfire early goals. Phil Skelly opened the scoring following a good move down the right
involving both Gareth Stranaghan and Ryan Elliott. Skelly was again involved in the second goal when he teed up Jonny McNaught who smashed home from the top of the circle, and McNaught scored again minutes later when he deflected an Allister McVicar pass following a typical marauding run from the back by the experienced sweeper. After this fast opening from the home side, the game became rather fragmented and severely lacking in terms of quality. The Mossley side pulled one back before the half time interval when an errant forward was on hand to slot  past the hapless Robin Thompson in the Bangor goal.

It took just 5 minutes into the second half when the thirds regained their 3 goal advantage, the evergreen Keith Mulholland scoring following more nifty skill from Ryan Elliott. A fifth goal was then added midway through the half, this time Andrew Gowdy got himself on the scoresheet,  scoring from close in following a penalty corner routine. From a rare breakaway the visitors made it 5-2, but in the last 10 minutes the Bangor side added a further 3 goals. Mulholland scored his second at the near post to make it 6, and then youngster Jourdan McKee added the seventh with a nifty finish past the Mossley custodian. Mulholland claimed his second half hat trick minutes from time when he finished into an empty net after Stranaghan’s pass had eluded the
goalie.

All in all, despite the many goals, the contest lacked fluidity throughout, the opening 12 minutes probably the best passage of play when the home side passed and moved the ball at a reasonable tempo. Nevertheless, a win is a win, and the thirds’ season is far from over with 4 league fixtures  and a Junior Shield quarter final still to play.

Many thanks to Timmy Campbell and Andrew McIlhagga for umpiring duties.