In the curtailed 2019-20 Premier Intermediate League season, Bangor’s first following their promotion from the fourth-tier in the centenary season, a date with Annagh United was on the calendar. An early-season trip to Tandragee Road ended in a 2-1 defeat, the only match that ultimately took place between the two. Now they meet again, if not necessarily in a competitive second-tier environment as the Seasiders would have hoped for the term forthcoming.
Covid closed the curtains early and as league-leaders, Annagh were automatically promoted to the Championship, securing a total of 33 points from 14 matches. The 2020/21 season was never to be. In 2021/22, both teams made up for lost time by finishing as their respective leagues’ promotion playoff representative. The sense of heartbreak that came with not being able to see the promotion through unites the sides as they brace to face each other this Saturday 9th July.
It was a momentous term for Annagh. Originally from Portadown, making their playoff contest against the Ports a local derby that the Shamrock Park side prevailed in, they finished so near to securing a Premiership spot but alas were not to get it done in the end. It would have been a successive set of steps-up in division had that two-legged affair turned out slightly differently, bearing in mind the cancelled campaign few want to look back on.
While pre-season is a different climate to competitive football, a win would be useful to get on the board and build a bit of momentum. Bangor naturally are hoping to compete in the second-tier sooner rather than later, and for that reason this should prove a test. That momentum was stunted a bit at Stanley Park last time out. Bangor’s trip to play Lisburn Rangers ended in a 2-1 defeat where both teams had sufficient chances to make it a higher-scoring match reflective of an open-ended outlook.
Eoin O’Neill struck the crossbar in the second half, while Karl Devine and Ben Arthurs each had presentable openings not able to be converted. It took some time for the Seasiders to truly find their flow, and a Rangers lead on the quarter-hour left a deficit to overcome early. Reece Neale was experimented as the centre-most centre back of a three in base form in the first half, but it was fluid enough to morph to a four. This was influenced by the role of the wingbacks, Jamie Glover to the left and Gareth Beattie opposite to the right. Glover in particular was a frequent outlet for switches, receiving in his stride and using his mix of acceleration and close-control to draw his man towards him and work a pocket of space for another to run into or take in. Beattie was also set behind as required, with fluid link-ups in the inside-channels supporting these runs. Some of these interchanges were fruitful but the end product just lacked come the half. 1-0 down, it was not for the want of trying.
Manager Lee Feeney rang the changes as he did against Sirocco Works for the second half. Glover’s strong show meant he stayed on. He was joined in the attacking line by O’Neill, Arthurs and Ethan Boylan. Boylan’s motivation to rebound in style after a long-term injury absence is unquestionable, and on the stroke of the hour his well-worked strike had Bangor back level. It was a graceful take-and-turn by a player praised for his professionalism and attitude in training of late and whose call to extend his contract is a clear sign of personal motivation to make the best possible impression he can. He dropped off Arthurs often and was a key link-player in attacking moves through the middle.
He took, swivelled to face goal and placed with precision beyond the goalkeeper’s dive. The score 1-1, it was then all to play for. In a windy second half, the breeze flew in Bangor’s sails.
Ryan Arthur’s regular command and authority instilled confidence in playing out from the back, and Dylan O’Kane’s standard of switches kept in the vein of how they attacked across the first half to a high degree.
The midfield is assured on the ball and the blends suit the ball-playing philosophy Feeney has talked about. Balls behind the line tried to set Arthurs away. On one occasion he was a heavy touch from being clean through on goal, while O’Neill was denied a superb close-range strike by a steely set of fingertips from the Lisburn Rangers goalkeeper on 70 minutes. The intent was there, and the intent was right.
It was not that the hosts did not threaten though, and in the end they got what they wanted. A loose corner to give away from the Bangor view was converted at the near post on the 83rd-minute mark. It was to end bittersweetly as Rangers saw it out and sealed the victory, and they were more than a match over the hour-and-a-half’s duration.
What started as an overcast and fairly drizzly afternoon had the sun shining through the clouds by the full time whistle. Despite the result, there were still upbeat notes to report on the play that can be taken into the upcoming fixture against Annagh. Consistency in retaining composure to convert shots from different parts of the pitch is one area to build on from this match. The renewal of Arthurs is a plus-point as the summer window continues to roll on, the team’s top scorer in each of the past four seasons as he seeks to hold onto his crown.
What is vital is that a variety of players have major match minutes under their belt to maximise their freshness for when competitive action returns in August. Feeney is making sure this is so. Should Bangor be able to take a scalp in Newcastle on Saturday, it would further reflect what good work has been done so far. Bangor learned some of their early cup opponents this week. The first round of the Irish Cup is scheduled to be played against Queen’s University at Clandeboye Park on Saturday 13th August, with a 1:30pm kick-off time, while the following week will see the Seasiders’ Steel and Sons Cup crusade commence.
On Saturday 20th August, after receiving a first round bye, they will start in the second round and have a trip away to Glenkeen Avenue against Greenisland to look forward to.
The very best of luck also to Northern Ireland’s inspirational Women’s Euros squad, and in particular two of Bangor’s very finest in Ashley Hutton and Rebecca McKenna, as they prepare to take on Norway in Southampton for their first-ever match at a tournament of this scale.
The match at St. Mary’s stadium kicks off at 8pm tonight, Thursday 7th July, and will be screened on BBC One, as Kenny Shiels’ side face a nation with an illustrious history and proven pedigree, boosted by the returning goal-machine Ada Hegerberg to their fold.
It will be a tricky test for the debutants and lowest-ranked side at the Women’s Euros, but the worst thing one can do is write this brave group off doing something very special.
Come on the Green and Whites!
(Posted: 7th July 2022)