It proved to be a fruitful return to competitive action at the weekend for Bangor. Irish Cup progression set and sealed against a fellow Premier Intermediate League side, and a pleasing all-round performance to match.
On a boiling hot summer’s day – unenviable to have to play in on a week-in-week-out basis – the Seasiders got the job done nicely. It was a good laying-down of a marker on who one might expect the club to be contending with for promotion this term.
An earlier 1:30pm kick-off time brought the match closer to high noon in conditions already suited for sun cream and sunglasses.
Being well-hydrated and well-refreshed going into games in this weather, where there was not a cloud in sight to block out the sun’s glare, is vitally important. Nevertheless, it is better to be outdoors in it rather than camped in a stuffy room at home.
As is the case annually, cold drinks, milkshakes and ice pops were on sale at the club shop. The queues were bustling amid such an atmosphere, but if words over the tannoy were not persuasive enough, the climate ended up forcing many supporters’ hands.
Still, others customarily enjoyed their fancied coffee without milk nor sugar, so it wasn’t all out of the ordinary in certain cases.
While the pre-match built up, the players looked in relaxed spirit. The warm-up could not be too intense in such energy-sapping heat, but it was still sharp enough for them to walk out and take the front foot early from kick-off. The starting team (Orbinson; Hume, Arthur, D’Sena; Neale, Devine, Harrison, O’Kane, Glover; McArthur, Arthurs), lined out in a base 3-5-2 that could re-adjust in different ways, laid their marker down early.
The first flash-point arrived at double-quick notice. With about 90 seconds on the clock, Bangor made their pressure pay.
Or at least they thought they did.
A right-sided cross was sent towards the back-post, and from there the ball was returned to a wide open Karl Devine who slammed it home.
It sparked celebration in the stands and on the pitch. All the while, the referee walked over to consult with the linesman – that’s to say a Queen’s official doubling up as flag-bearer – who had a query by the halfway line.
Exultation turned to confusion. What looked a legal goal had a question mark. A short while later, the throwing of hands in the air from the Bangor bench were indication enough that the goal had been disallowed.
For what? An offside? A foul in build-up? Not quite. It was that the ball had went out of play by the dugout around 30 seconds before the ball found the net. At least that’s the reason we were given.
That confusion turned to frustration any which way. Some of a Bangor disposition by that side were unsure the ball had went fully out. Alas, you play to the whistle.
The Seasiders eleven did just that. They did not let the contention of this early call settle on their nerves. While scrappy at points, generally they held control. Even after the mid-half water break, they did not lose their grip.
A goal that did stand eventually followed – and one of real class too. Ryley D’Sena’s ball-playing brilliance has been on rich display since he joined on loan from Larne, and the Australian teenager delivered one of his best instances of it in assisting this take.
On 37 minutes, he threaded a delightful ball through the Queen’s defensive block to pick out a well-timed run from Ben Arthurs.
A pass with risk but enterprise. D’Sena weighted it to perfection, thread through a needle, and Arthurs’ finish was one of real composure. The striker took a cushioned first-time side-footed effort off his right boot, the ball bypassing the despairing dive of opposition goalkeeper John McCooe and landing in the bottom right corner.
Tactically, Bangor made it a habit of switching the ball from the right side to the left. It worked often, repeatedly finding a runner in open space.
It delivered to its best effect here. All it took was one first-time effort to do the damage. Arthurs had left his mark on the match, and the main marksman was off for another season. It was an excellent piece of play.
He had missed a gilt-edged chance not long beforehand, a back-post header directed just wide of the right post from a devilish delivery on the left. He put it out of his system in style and broke the deadlock, as natural goalscorers d. It felt only a matter of time from being done.
10 minutes later, in first half added time, if Devine felt aggrieved about how his first goal was disallowed, he left no doubt on this one.
In the third minute of an extended stoppage period, accounting for the hydration pause as well as a former Seasider in Adam Calvert being subbed off to be replaced by fellow ex-Bangor man Chris Middleton due to injury, the referee awarded the hosts a free kick at least 25 yards from goal. Reece Neale and Devine stood and discussed. How were they going to make this count to the best effect?
A few seconds later, the plan manifested to reality. Neale took it, but only to lay it off to his partner in crime who lashed it in unerringly.
A first-time bullet from Devine – all the power the ex-Dundela ace had in his right foot to shoot with, he used it. Low and delectable to ruffle the net once more in that same bottom right corner. It was on that note that Bangor closed the half on.
It is fair to say the first 45 minutes was the period where the most damage was done.
There were second half chances. Jamie Glover had a strong chance to make it three just before the hour which went unconverted. A competitive debut also beckoned for new recruit and former Glenavon Under-20 captain CJ Sullivan – entering the fray as part of a double substitution on 63 minutes – and he showed bright signs.
Queen’s meanwhile were up in arms about a potential penalty call that did not go their way which continued in the post-match.
There were loud appeals both from those close to the incident and from the bench. They felt the referee should have awarded a spot-kick their way after an alleged Ryan Arthur handball. The man in the middle was not wavered though, and as many looked on in hope of expectation, he signalled for play to continue.
Had it been given and converted, it would have halved the deficit and potentially put Bangor on the back-foot.
The match needed to be decided to a finish on the day, with a 30-minute extra time spell and a subsequent penalty shootout if the score was still level after two hours of play.
That talk was mercifully left to the hypotheticals. On the peep of the full time whistle, the score stayed unaltered from the half.
A 2-0 win for Bangor and successful progression to the second round of Northern Ireland’s oldest cup competition.
D’Sena, playing on the right side of a back-three alongside Arthur in the centre and David Hume to the left, was delighted with the result.
“2-0, clean sheet, into the next round – what more could you want?” he told me post-match.
His assurance passing the ball out is a documented feature of his game. It is well-known to Seasiders regulars now, and is a valuable resource in Lee Feeney’s favoured brand of playing out from the back. He highlighted his skill in being an outlet in this sense on Saturday.
He believes there is more to it than just his ball-playing ability though. When asked, he was quick to praise the work his teammates do.
“The boys make it easy for me,” D’Sena pointed out.
“The runs of Ben [Arthurs], Scotty [McArthur], Jamie [Glover], they make my mind up for me. With that, I know I’m playing the right ball.”
He was the youngest member of a fantastic defensive line, but he plays like he has been there and done that. His mentality and attitude, how he conducts himself off the pitch, is as top-order as it is in the midst of the action.
The Larne loanee is fast becoming a fan favourite and is in-sync with the system already. Next to him, Arthur was aerially-dominant and his usual vocal self, while Hume is coping under pressure and used his strength well to turn away from opponents.
They learn off each other. That will be important as the season progresses. A sturdy backline who understand what they offer as a collective. D’Sena’s physicality and aerial prowess in itself has been in serious growth throughout the last six weeks.
It was another authoritative show from Marc Orbinson behind them too. He dealt with any threats that came his way, was assertive in communicating and directed from the back with no illusions on whether he was going short or long.
As league actions kicks off next week – and beforehand, this weekend away to Greenisland in the Steel and Sons Cup second round – a good spine will be crucial in order to achieve season aims.
It was also refreshing to see that the bulk of injury concerns from the end of pre-season have been allayed. It would be most ideal if it stays that way.
The heat was on for Bangor, but they weren’t burned. They kept cool as ice to see through a successful competitive season bow. The methods Feeney is trying out in training are working, the mood around the camp is upbeat, and a positive display like on Saturday will only boost momentum with further big tests to come.
For Bangor’s under-age teams, it was also a successful outing. The Under-18s and Reserves both tasted the sweetness of victory this weekend.
On Friday, the Under-18s defeated Larne’s equivalents in a friendly, with Charley Craig and Daniel Butler delivering the Seasiders’ goals in a 2-1 victory.
Craig was also on target for the Reserves the following day. Bangor defeated Taughmonagh YM to claim the Move Your Mind Charity Cup, as Craig’s brace was added to with a strike by Ethan Scott. Tim Millar-Wilson held aloft the cup as captain and following this 3-2 win at Newforge, the squad left in high spirits.
There is talent abound across all sectors of the club, with high expectations abound. The Under-18s have also put out a request for new players to join.
For players born between 2004 and 2006 interested in this opportunity, you can get in touch by emailing academy@bangorfc.com. Best believe you’d be joining the best club in the world.
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