South Seconds slip to defeat at the seaside as Bangor take spoils

After a few bad results the seconds were in good spirits with the return of Jack Redpath and Nathan Gamble into midfield, and they started the game with a renewed pep.

With the Redpath brothers and Gamble controlling the middle of the pitch it looked only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken by the away side.

Gamble saw an excellent strike saved from the edge of the circle while Hutchison and Wilson also found the home ‘keeper in super form between the posts.

Sadly, it was the home team who registered first, when after a momentary lapse in concentration a Bangor forward found himself through on goal – kudos to Glass in nets, who took upon himself to end the attack but unfortunately conceded a short corner in doing so. Bangor scored from a second phase at the set piece and doubled their lead shortly after when another piece of defensive charity gave the home team the easiest of chances to finish from close range.

With South rocking and with coach Redpath beginning to kit up to take charge of things, they conceded again when a one-on-one situation led to a 3rd just before half-time.

Half time score 3-0 to Bangor and much frustration to the away side, who after playing brilliantly between the two ends of the pitch, letting themselves down where it mattered.

The men in black were given a few home truths by the backroom staff at the break, as Redpath and his team demanded more concentration in defence and more heart in the tackle.

The young South Antrim team, determined to right wrongs of the first half, continued to move the ball quickly around a stubborn Bangor midfield and with Glass encouraging his charges they looked well-placed to find a way back into the match.

It proved a false dawn though, when much to the anguish of the large contingent of travelling supporters, Bangor pulled further away from another set piece.

By the time Bangor added a fifth the South heads were well and truly on the floor but they valiantly pressed on in search of the consolation, coming closest through Wilson who, unfortunately slipped at the worst possible moment with only the goalkeeper to beat. Full-time, 5-0 to the men in yellow and blue.

The 2nd XI will be bitterly disappointed after falling to such a heavy defeat in a game they competed very well in.

Punching above their weight, the seconds were always going to find this season difficult but with a number of home games to come in the next few weeks they can be in buoyant mood as the relegation dogfight begins in earnest with the visit of Annadale to Fortress Friends this weekend.

Without a league defeat on Quaker soil since 2014 the seconds are ready to welcome the remaining fixtures and hope to turn around their fortunes, beginning with Saturday’s match up.

Thanks to Gordon McCandless for travelling to umpire and Phillips Volkswagen for their continued support.