New look Bangor go down to first defeat of the season

BANGOR City Hockey Club Men’s first team succumbed to their first defeat of the season with a 5-2 reverse at Stockport Bramhall 2nds.

Despite the scoreline, the newly-assembled Bangor side dominated possession for large periods, but were undone by flurries of goals at the start and end of the game from the hosts.

City were slow to shake off the car journey and got punished after nine minutes when Bramhall drilled home.

The home side continued to pin Bangor back, and added two further strikes in quick succession.

It was at this point when City clicked into gear, pressing the hosts in their own half and keeping possession.

After Dave Paterson diverted an Arran Butterworth cross off target, Bangor pulled one back moments later, when Paul McCallum brilliantly intercepted the ball high up before squaring it for Tomos Hughes to sweep past the keeper.

City continued in this attacking vein after the break and further reduced the arrears within five minutes of the restart, when skipper Ash Hardaker brilliantly placed his drag flick beyond the keeper’s grasp from a short corner

With Bangor having found their confidence and shape, they pressed hard for an equaliser.

Despite having the hosts under the cosh for large periods, they failed to create the all-important opening.

And the hosts were let off the hook in the final five minutes, when they netted two quick counter-attack goals to seal a hard-fought victory.

Bangor City 2nds fell to a 5-2 defeat, at home to Oxton 4s.

Goals from Matthew Liles and Edward Betteridge saw Bangor go in 3-2 down at half time, but the Wirral outfit had the better of the second period, adding two further goals to condemn City to a second loss of the season.

Bangor face a doubleheader against Northop Hall on Saturday, with the firsts hosting at the Brailsford Centre 3G (2.15pm), and the seconds travelling to take on Northop 2nds (2pm).