Ramblers in step to find winning route against battling Bangor

BANGOR Men’s hockey team suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Deeside Ramblers 5s.

The Blues got off to the best possible start when teenager Harry Collins-Jones gave them the lead with his first goal for the club.

The visitors soon came into the match and levelled on 18 minutes. Deeside continued in the ascendancy and nudged themselves ahead after 27 minutes. City tried to come back into it in the second half, but it was Ramblers who netted the next goal on 51 minutes to seal all three points.

The previous weekend, Bangor went down to a battling 4-3 loss at NWHL Division Five rivals Mossley Hill 2nds.

It was a lively start from Bangor’s inexperienced, yet highly energetic side, as they forced a series of short corners, and at the fourth attempt Ash Hardaker drilled a drag flick into the bottom corner to give them the lead.

Mossley responded with attacks of their own and forced an outstanding save from keeper Tudur Trenholme. However, Bangor remained in charge during the first half and created numerous chances, Matt Rogers and Jack Brookes going close and Dave Paterson hitting the post.

They finally got a welldeserved second when Paterson swept home beautifully after a superb solo run by Brookes. The hosts struck a telling blow at the end of the half when scoring from a short corner. The Liverpudlians drew level early in the second half and a piece of sublime skill saw them take the lead on 44 minutes. The home side netted a fourth with a pinpoint shot from a short corner five min- utes later. However, when Bangor nicked one back, Paterson deflecting in a Rogers cross, the momentum swung back into the visitors’ favour.

City created wave after wave of attack in the last 15 minutes in search for an all-important fourth goal and came close several times to no avail.

This Saturday sees Bangor travel to third-placed Sandbach aiming to end a run of three defeats, pushback 12pm.