Bangor Mens Hockey Club thirds made the long journey to Donegal last Saturday afternoon to take on Raphoe thirds, and following a hard working and dogged performance the team returned home with all 3 points following a narrow 3-2 victory. 

The home side had the best of the early exchanges, and duly got their reward with just 10 minutes played when they scored from the first short corner award of the game.  The Bangor side rallied after this goal, and began to move the ball a lot quicker with Andrew Walker the fulcrum in the middle of the park.  Numerous short corners were won following some hard running from the flanks particularly from Andrew McIlhagga and Kyle Dunn, and eventually the thirds got a deserved equaliser.  A switch to Kyle Dunn, who was industrious throughout, resulted in the forward’s shot ricocheting off the post into the path of Andrew Walker, who calmly controlled and slotted high into the Raphoe goal.  The visitors found themselves in front not long afterwards when Gareth Stranaghan capitalised on hesitancy in the Raphoe defence, and despatched low into the corner from the top of the circle.  By this stage the visitors were controlling the proceedings, with Raymond Parker, Andrew Walker and debutant Dale Finlay in midfield linking the play well and playing the simple passes.  Raphoe however were dangerous with their attacking forays, though their frustration was growing as their final pass was continually going astray. 

The opening minutes of the second half were scrappy as both teams struggled to find any fluidity to their play.  The thirds did look comfortable in defence though, with Patrick McMillan using all his experience as he marshalled his troops in front.  However it was a lapse of concentration on the left side of the pitch that allowed Raphoe to score with a simple passing move which really ought to have been prevented.  In fairness, it was a well taken goal by the home forward, and it was all square again with 20 minutes to play.  The game was opening up as players began to tire, and there were many more scoring opportunities in this closing period.  The evergreen Geoff Mitchell was combining well with Raymond Parker on the right side of the pitch, and they were at the heart of many forays from that side.  Further chances fell for Michael Coughlin, Dale Finlay and Paul McNulty but the Raphoe goalie was more than equal to the task.  Also from short corners, Patrick McMillan was continually thwarted with some excellent saves, but it was that man Gareth Stranaghan who popped up to score the winner when he latched onto a rebound off the keepers pads following another rasping effort from McMillan at a penalty corner.  The home side then pushed for an equaliser, and with an extra 7 minutes injury time played it felt like an eternity for the Bangor side as they awaited the final whistle.  The closest they came was when a shot flew past Nick Craig’s right hand post. 

So it was a well earned 3 points for the thirds on the road, and definitely their best team performance thus far this season.  Skipper Gareth Stubbings was a contented man as the team made an enjoyable bus journey home.

The player of the match vote was a close call between the 3 Jacks.  Many thanks to Paul Donaldson for transporting the team to the Donegal venue, and meeting all our requirements with the minimum of fuss.

 

Written by Gareth Stranaghan