Thirds move away from relegation dogfight

Banbridge Thirds 4

Bangor Seconds 2

THE Thirds entertained Bangor on a cold Friday night at Havelock Park.

Bann called upon Dale Pollock, Andy Marks and ‘Cricky’ McGladdery to add extra steel to the frontline and welcomed back Aaron Appleton in between the sticks from injury.

The locals started the better of the sides and were unlucky not to take the lead after 15 minutes when Pollock’s snapshot flew just wide of the left post.

It was only five minutes later that Pollock did finally put the hosts in front. Philip Douglas’s quick free released Pollock and his strike from the edge of the circle was too hot too handle for the keeper.

Neil Anderson and McGladdery were linking up well on the right and on several occasions Anderson got into the circle but the end product was not as great as the build up.

Roger Martin had a chance to go two up from a short corner but when it was broken down Bangor raced up to the other end and equalised. This was against the run of play and were disappointed to have been caught out so quick.

The second half proved to be a great spectacle of hockey. Bangor took a deserved lead 10 minutes into the second half. Their centre midfielder somehow was allowed to run in from the 25 without facing a tackle. He passed the ball round Appleton and the centre forward slotted in from close range.

It was not until the last ten minutes that the locals pressed forward. McCague started to dominate the centre of the park with Jess and Cricky making attacking runs pressuring Bangor into their own half.

The equaliser came when Martin dispatched a straight strike into the bottom left hand corner from a short. This was his second goal of the campaign from the veteran sweeper.

The Reds took the lead two minutes later after excellent defending from Knox, who then released Pollock down the left wing who crossed for Anderson to slot home from close range at the back post. This sent the small support at the side into raptures and Bangor were reeling.

Number four soon followed when the in-form Pollock unleashed a rocket form a tight angle in which the keeper did not even see hit the back board.

An excellent three points won sends the Thirds into a mid-table position and safe from the relegation zone for now. Best for Bann was Dale ‘Torres’ Pollock who caused mayhem all night for Bangor.