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On Saturday, Bangor 3rds travelled to the Glade to face Mossley 2XI, a
team sitting second and also unbeaten in the league. This was to be a huge
challenge for the young 3XI, playing on a water-based pitch for the first
time this season. Indeed, the pitch was to play a major role in the
result, as the Bangor players struggled to play their normal passing game.
Bangor welcomed back M Coughlin and Ray and Scott Parker after last week's
3 nil win against Banbridge, and also included Matt Crawford in goal for
the second time this season. The game started brightly, although Bangor
struggled on the bouncy surface. The visitors matched their hosts for work
rate and commitment, but neither side were able to carve out a clear cut
chance. The midfield trio of Parker, Reid and McCausland lacked their
usual fluidity, but nevertheless did well to stifle their Mossley
counterparts. The Bangor forward line of McNaught, R Coughlin and Savage
worked hard to try to find space, but were rewarded with very few
opportunities.
At the other end of the pitch, the Bangor defence of Stubbings, Larmer,
Douglas and Elliott were solid, giving
little away to their opponents. The main uncomfortable moments stemmed
from difficulties in working the ball out from the back, a common problem
for Bangor this season and an area that definitely requires improvement.
After a good 15 minutes, Bangor gifted Mossley the lead. A misplaced
Bangor defensive pass was easily intercepted by a Mossley forward, who
raced clear towards Crawford in the Bangor goal. Drawing the Bangor keeper
out, the Mossley attacker slid the ball to his advancing team mate who had
the simplest of tap ins to give the home side the lead. However, his
effort was blocked by a foot on the line by the recovering Stubbings. The
goal was prevented, albeit momentarily, as the resulting penalty flick was
was dispatched high into the net.
Mossley doubled the lead shortly after, with a well placed effort. The
remainder of the half saw Mossley attempt to further increase their
ascendancy but the visitors rallied to prevent any further breaches to
their goal. Half time, 2 nil Mossley.
The second half began in a similar vein to the first. Bangor matched their
opponenets for the most part, but struggled to create a way back into the
game. Few real chances were created, and although they did win a handful
of short corners, they rarely threatened the Mossley goal. To Bangor's
credit, they continued to push forward against a determined Mossley side,
and they worked hard defensively, Larmer, in particular, making several
good tackles when the Mossley winger threatened to race clear.
As the half progressed, the home side began to create more chances.
Despite the poor conditions, the game was open as
both teams went looking for goals. When chances were created, they were
usually for Mossley, although Crawford in the Bangor goal did well to deny
further goals.
Mossley did score another two goals in a five minute spell that finished
the game as a real contest. The third was from a short corner, and the
fourth came from poor tackling from the Bangor defence, although the
finish was pinpoint and gave Crawford no chance.
A 4 nil defeat away from home and Bangor's poor away form continues. They
are finding it difficult to reproduce their sparkling home form on their
travels. The 3rds have a free weekend coming up, a chance for players to
relax and rest their injuries before they resume their season with the
festive period looming.
Many thanks to Scott Parker and Warren Reid for umpiring |