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For the last Saturday of hockey in 2007 the weather was cold, blustery and
damp but captain Shields had the team out very early preparing for the
match as if it was a Premier League encounter.
This ploy worked as the Kilkeel team arrived slightly late and were
ill-prepared for the start of the game. Bangor put the visitors under
pressure from the start and continually won the ball in the oppositions
half before creating chances.
Indeed the breakthrough did not take long to occur. After good approach
play, Ricky Parker gave the keeper no chance.
For the next 20 minutes Bangor’s tackling was sound and their passing was
good enough to create further chances, albeit without troubling the
scoreboard.
Bangor did not have to wait too much longer to extend there lead. After
pressure in the Kilkeel circle the ball came out to Todd just inside the
half, and after a quick run, and one-two with Reid, his dragged shot found
the bottom corner.
In the first half the midfield of Scott, Walker, Irvine and Cook, as well
as Reid, displayed good work rate and continually set up attacks for the
forwards.
The defense of Patterson, Todd, Kirkpatrick and Mottashaw were untroubled,
and Thompson in goal was a virtual spectator.
This sound team play brought a third goal before half time when Snodden
found his way along the bye-line and pulled back for Scott to neatly
finish.
Despite a positive half time team talk Bangor spent the next 15 minutes
playing poorly, with sloppy passes, and panicking when in possession. This
play resulted in needlessly giving away short corners, one of which beat
Thompson to make the score 3-1. Further Kilkeel pressure ensued before the
Bangor again started to pass the ball well.
After one such passing move, Parker won a short corner, and the switch to
Snodden was comprehensively despatched into the bottom corner to make the
score 4 -1.
The remainder of the match saw Bangor back in control, with Walker having
two great chances well saved when it seemed easier to score.
Then with five minutes left two Kilkeel defenders was forced off with
injury, and now opposing nine players, Bangor took advantage and scored
two late goals from Irvine and Cook to make the final score 6-1.
Thanks to Timmy Campbell for umpiring. Man of the Match Jonathan Todd |