‘Hinch seconds held at home for first time

‘Hinch seconds held at home for first time

23 November 2011

LEADERS Ballynahinch seconds ped their first points at home to an experienced Bangor fourths outfit last weekend.

The locals are in red hot form at the moment and have taken Junior 4 by storm with a number of impressive performances.

Last weekend’s Junior 4 game was more like a cup tie with both sides going for the win in a pulsating second half which was a terrific advert for junior hockey.

The experienced Raymond Parker pulled the strings for the visitors in the middle of the park and for the opening 10 minutes Ballynahinch were pegged back deep in their own half as Bangor took the game to them.

The home defence held firm thanks in the main to the efforts of Lawrence Patterson and Stuart McKee and while the visitors forced a number of shots on goal during the great opening period, they couldn’t find a way past home ‘keeper Dave Chadwick.

Colin McKibbin was again in impressive form for Ballynahinch and linked up well with Gary Marshall and Philip Murray in the 13th minute, but there was no end product.

Minutes later, McKee linked up with Lee Thomas and Murray and when the ball was drilled into the penalty area, Gary Marshall was left holding his head in his hands when he missed from point blank range with a gaping goal at his mercy.

With 10 minutes until the interval, Bangor peppered the home goal with Chadwick standing firm to ensure his side went into the break on level terms.

Alex Millar replaced the injured Patterson in the second period and helped add a little solidity to the home defence, but it was the visitors who got their noses in front in the 56th minute.

A sweeping move down the right wing saw the ball find its way to an unmarked forward who beat Chadwick at his near post with a crisp finish.

But any hope the visitors had of going home with all three points were dashed within 30 seconds of them taking the lead when Ballynahinch equalised straight from the hit off.

Murray sent Thomas scampering away and when the ball came back to the experienced striker he cut into the penalty area to pick out Marshall once again, but he made no mistake this time and calmly slotted the ball home.

Marshall and Millar had chances to gave Ballynahinch the lead in the closing stages and when three Bangor players found themselves with just Chadwick to beat they made a mess of the move.

A forward opted to shoot instead of playing in a team mate and Chadwick made the save.

Ballynahinch II 1

Bangor IV 1

JUNIOR 4