Bangor draw Cobra sting

BANGOR City Men’s hockey team finally claimed their first away win of the season last Saturday with a hard-fought 3-2 victory against relegation rivals Alderley Edge 5ths.

City started brightly and took the lead on 15 minutes.

Harry Collins-Jones squared the ball across goal for Dave Paterson to tap in.

Jack Brookes and Ash Hardaker had opportunities to add to the scoreline, but were denied by some brilliant saves from the Edge keeper.

The home side drew level on 27 minutes from a well-struck short corner.

Despite further attempts from Bangor’s Paterson and Graham Lorrimer, the scoreline remained 1-1 at the break. City upped the tempo after the interval and re-took the lead on 48 minutes.

Skipper Tom Hughes squeezed a low shot past the keeper into the bottom right corner.

The visitors searched for a third goal and went close through Lorrimer and Patrick Wright.

However it was Paterson who found the net next with a cool finish on 60 minutes.

The goal followed a terrific trademark run from Jack Brookes.

The last 10 minutes were an edgy affair for City as Alderley looked for a way back into the game.

During a spell of sustained pressure, Bangor defended four short corners thanks to great blocks from Andrzej Griffiths, Harri Evans and birthday boy goalkeeper Keith Proudlove.

However, Edge drilled a shot into the bottom corner at the fifth attempt to bring them back to within a goal with four minutes left.

Despite the hosts’ best attempts, Bangor held their nerve in the closing stages to see the game out for a much-needed win.

The victory sees Bangor put a six-point gap between themselves and second-frombottom Alderley Edge, who occupy the last relegation place.

City will aim to build on that great team performance as they welcome Denbigh to the Brailsford Centre 3G this Saturday afternoon, push-back 2.30pm.