Loss, win, loss, win, draw. As it happens, we are already five games into this Playr-Fit Championship campaign, and the old adage of expecting the unexpected has rung true precisely as was promised. All told, though, Saturday took it to a new level; one of the latest goals a player will ever score in a Bangor shirt was plundered by marauding centre-back Lewis Francis, securing an important share of the spoils just when Institute had looked set to be taking all three points back to the Maiden City.
In a tale of two cities, split by almost 100 miles of road yet virtually nothing in the standings, it was the Seasiders who left with the feeling that this was most certainly a point gained. This display was not one that took off instantly – indeed, it took almost an hour to truly ignite – but a declaration of heart and soul in a make-or-break point of the contest means the hosts retain a top-six place for another weekend that they otherwise would have surrendered. It was hard not to feel satisfied by this outcome.
Francis heroics on sunny and warm Saturday gain crucial point for Seasiders
The sun was shining, the heat was searing and the clouds were scurrying.
How ironic that on the second day of autumn, the summer finally arrives.
It was only 15 days beforehand that the torrential downpour and fierce wind gusts rained on the parade at Clandeboye Park, when the might of Storm Bella made its say in a tussle with Dundela where the weather was a sure-fire factor.
Starting 11:
A theme of consistency has tended to be upheld in Lee Feeney’s squad selections this season, and this was no different for the visit of Institute. The injury-enforced absence of Gareth Beattie saw Sean Brown move to right wing-back, with David Hume coming in at right centre-back. Image from myself.
The contrast could not have been starker in Bangor’s next home game – a reversion to a Saturday kick-off for the first time in four weeks.
The hope, therefore, was the action would shine on the pitch.
Stat attack:
When Sean Brown was called into the Northern Ireland Under-19 squad under Gareth McAuley’s tutelage, he was one of only three Irish League players alongside Glentoran duo Rhys Walsh and Leon Boyd to be named by the international hero.
As the Seasiders entertained Institute in a match that always appeared finely poised, the obvious hope was for consecutive wins for the first time this term that would boost their strength in the standings.
Substitutes:
Among the bench, the most noted of those included in the panel was Seanna Foster, who would have been primed for his 36th match in Bangor colours were he to enter the fray. Michael Halliday also was part of the panel hoping for his first minutes of the season. Image from myself.
But in a tussle between teams split merely by Bangor having scored one more goal (five) than their visitors (four) – besides that, their respective six-point hauls and neutral goal difference made them inseparable – the close margins always looked set to define this.
That was to prove true. Eventually.
Hope of fireworks were swiftly put to bed in a drab first portion of the contest, and the majority of the crowd were left to rue when the stalemate was buried.
Hot one-time Coleraine prospect Kirk McLaughlin transferred his skills to east Belfast last summer when he joined Glentoran, and he delivered a decisive blow for Stute with half an hour of the contest to go. At that flashpoint, the scales were tipped in the visitors’ favour.
McLaughlin, who bagged his second Glens goal at the very same venue last year in a County Antrim Shield success over Ards, had his first in ‘Stute colours by scoring against the other north Down outfit.
You could hardly blame the 19-year-old for revelling in it, given it had hitherto been a game of few meaningful chances.
Deadlock-breaker:
Bangor defender Sean Brown cuts a dejected figure while the players of Institute celebrate their team’s opening goal just before the hour mark. It was Kirk McLaughlin, who Bangor faced as a Glentoran II player in the Steel and Sons Cup last-16, who drove ‘Stute into the lead. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
There was the occasional opportunity. In the first period, ever-presents Jack Henderson and Ben Walker had their names in lights for their home town side following enterprising goal-bound looks.
With 25 minutes gone, Henderson tried one of those ‘why not?’ efforts when he caught sight of the target from some distance out, but Bryankizito Uzuokwu cut an untroubled expression between Institute’s sticks. The goalkeeper, whose new arrival at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium was confirmed shortly after kick-off, was called into action on 42 minutes when Walker (18) took aim, though the Larne loanee’s shot was safely smothered.
In between, on 32 minutes, Tiarnan McKinney fired towards James Taylor’s goal, though there could be little question that within the opening hour, the clearest opening was the one that ruffled Taylor’s net.
But for being a decisive blow, it wasn’t the killer one.
That was because, with the remaining length of this scrap able to be measured in seconds, Lewis Francis evoked a sensation inside the ground that merely adds to the roller-coaster of emotions already experienced by those of a yellow and blue affiliation.
A titan in defence, he brought his instincts to the top end this time around and powered home a late, late leveller that preserves a point.
Player spotlight:
Picking up where he left off. 364 days after assisting Ben Arthurs with a cross on his Bangor debut against Dollingstown, Seanna Foster notched up his eighth set-up in yellow and blue when he provided Lewis Francis with the delivery to head home a leveller against Institute; his introduction turned the tide of the contest and that was reflected on the stat sheet. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
A point that, in this league, could mean so much.
A shot-shy hour finally exploded into life when McLaughlin prodded home, before Adam Neale – substituted on for Ben Arthurs immediately after the goal – almost produced the instant leveller, but his effort was to clear Bryankizito Uzoukwu’s crossbar by a distance.
Also in that decisive two-minute stint, Foster was introduced in place of Walker, and the 26-year-old was picking up where he left off to try and restore parity for the Yellows.
Indeed, it was his shot that served as a tester from Uzoukwu, trying a distance drive 15 minutes from time that the goalkeeper had to be well-positioned to claim just as he had done against Walker.
Cool, calm and collected:
Having started merely one of the first four matches of Bangor’s term to date, David Hume‘s inclusion back in the starting line-up came accompanied by an assured and confident display in the defensive line. The centre-back, who at 31 was also the oldest outfielder on the pitch, is also depended on by Lee Feeney for being an experienced head; that was true on Saturday. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
It was a similar story four minutes later when James Taylor held from a tame attempt by the visitors to double the lead, before what was akin to a barrage of the Institute goal followed for the remainder of the contest.
As the Foylesiders did everything in their power to keep the back door shut, the home team had their battering ram on hand to do all they could to search out a goal and avoid defeat.
What we now know is that dagger did arrive. Deep, deep, deep into the discretionary added-time period that referee Shane McGonigle permitted.
Francis had the answer, leaping highest while he was sandwiched between two opposition defenders to guide Foster’s divine ball past Uzoukwu and make it two unbeaten for Bangor.
Stat attack:
After Ben Arthurs was substituted on 60 minutes against Institute, it leaves only Lewis Francis, Lewis Harrison and Reece Neale to have featured in every single minute to date this campaign.
In the table, Bangor remain sixth – still marginally ahead of their maroon-and-blue-kitted adversaries by virtue of having scored one more goal – and find their spirits injected with fresh juice for the challenge of Ballyclare Comrades in the County Antrim Shield on Tuesday.
| Playr-Fit Championship | Matchday Five (2/9/23) | ||
| Annagh United | 0 | 3 | Newington |
| Ballyclare Comrades | 2 | 1 | Ballinamallard United |
| Bangor | 1 | 1 | Institute |
| Dergview | 0 | 1 | Dundela |
| Harland and Wolff Welders | 1 | 0 | Portadown |
| Knockbreda | 2 | 3 | Ards |
Francis was a picture of joy and jubilation after finding the net to deliver a last-gasp equaliser, but admitted that Bangor’s slow start to the game that found them in that position must not become a regular occurrence.
The 19-year-old, a standout performer in the early knockings of his season-long loan from Dungannon Swifts, came up trumps when in a position of chasing the game and made sure that the north west outfit were to head back up the road with only a share of the spoils thanks to his input.
Given Ryan Arthur’s set-piece prowess in the title-winning PIL pursuit, scoring five goals and notching a further five assists in league play following his return from Ballyclare Comrades, a void has been left in the wake of an ankle injury that will keep the Carrickfergus star out for some time.
It was at Ballyclare’s Dixon Park where Francis found himself thwarted by a bit of goalline heroics, but there was no denying him when his latest surge forward saw the ball nestle exactly where he wanted it to.
Goals across the team are invaluable.
The season so far:
- 5/8/23 – Ballyclare Comrades 3-2 Bangor (McArthur x2)
- 11/8/23 – Bangor 1-0 Ards (A. Neale)
- 18/8/23 – Bangor 1-2 Dundela (Arthurs)
- 25/8/23 – Portadown 0-1 Bangor (McArthur)
- 2/9/23 – Bangor 1-1 Institute (Francis)
A draw keeps Bangor in the top half after five matchdays of the Playr-Fit Championship season, but Francis sees further room for improvement.
“Yeah, well I think the way we started the game, we didn’t start too well,” reflected the Magherafelt man.
“We have to start games from the start, like we did last week, we have to be consistent in this league”
Lewis Francis acknowledged that there is room for improvement in the way and consistency Bangor can start matches
“We regrouped at half-time, came out, thought the first five minutes (of the second half) we played more like we could, more like we know we can, dealt with the (Institute) goal and then kicked on.
“We tried to play well but I think when we analyse the footage back, we can’t do that (start games slowly).
“We have to start games from the start, like we did last week (a 1-0 victory away to Portadown), we have to be consistent in this league and you get the results, but yeah, a point gained at the end of it.”
The quotes section:
“Yeah, well I think the way we started the game, we didn’t start too well. We regrouped at half-time, came out, thought the first five minutes (of the second half) we played more like we could, more like we know we can, dealt with the (Institute) goal and then kicked on. We tried to play well but I think when we analyse the footage back, we can’t do that (start games slowly)” – defender Lewis Francis kept his head firmly on his shoulders when reflecting on the contest between Bangor and Institute. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
Francis, who made his senior debut for Dungannon in a Mid Ulster Cup semi-final defeat to Warrenpoint Town in November 2021, had already threatened to net a first senior goal in a Bangor shirt – thus the feeling of actually getting it was extra sweet.
Arriving with a goalscoring reputation in development football having helped the Swifts’ second string to second-place in last term’s Under-20 Premiership, the defender adds he threw everything to the cause in the push for a leveller.
“Yeah, it was good. I wasn’t even sure what to do, I’d a nosebleed I was that high up the pitch!” he laughed.
“I just ran over, you know, after (Michael) Halliday, we just knew we’d another chance in us to get the winner but it wasn’t to be today.”
“Yeah, it was good. I wasn’t even sure what to do, I’d a nosebleed I was that high up the pitch!”
Lewis Francis found himself in an open-play situation he is not so often seen in and made the maximum impact
While the outcome was one point rather than three, Francis maintains a philosophical outlook for the challenges ahead.
The unpredictability of the Championship has once again been on full display; surprises and shocks are par for the course, and a player who has yet to miss a minute this term refuses to get carried away by any one result.
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” explains Francis.
“All the points will add up at the end of the season, and we know from the games so far if we can cut silly mistakes, we’ll have a good year.
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint… it’s just about keeping patient and we’ll just be doing that”
Lewis Francis won’t read too much into any one result as Bangor bid to build positively towards a strong season
“But it’s just about keeping patient and we’ll just be doing that.”
The quotes section:
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint. All the points will add up at the end of the season, and we know from the games so far if we can cut silly mistakes, we’ll have a good year. But it’s just about keeping patient and we’ll just be doing that” – the assessment from Lewis Francis on Bangor’s start to the season is one with a sense of a means to go on. Image from Sarah Harkness.
Bangor’s backline has tended to feature at least three teenagers this term, with Francis joined by Walker and Brown in the rearguard.
The trio have performed admirably in their own right since making the switch to Clandeboye Park, with Feeney keen to place his trust in them to shore up the defence.
Six goals shipped in five fixtures is the joint-third-best record in the second-tier, and Francis’ enjoyment of the Seasider culture is helping him to deliver time and time again.
The quotes section:
“I’m loving it! I’m loving it, everyone’s been great to me, the boys and the supporters and the board. It’s been easy to fit in, it’s a good group and I like the way we play, the style of play, we keep it on the ground, it suits me. Yeah, just looking forward to what’s coming up” – fan favourite defender Lewis Francis has highly enjoyed his time in a Bangor shirt so far. Image from Gary Carson.
“I’m loving it! I’m loving it, everyone’s been great to me, the boys and the supporters and the board,” he beamed.
“It’s been easy to fit in, it’s a good group and I like the way we play, the style of play”
Centre-back Lewis Francis feels the ball-playing brand of football is just right for him to develop in
“It’s been easy to fit in, it’s a good group and I like the way we play, the style of play, we keep it on the ground, it suits me.
“Yeah, just looking forward to what’s coming up.”
Reserves start new campaign with statement six-goal success at Clandeboye
Meanwhile, Bangor Reserves had a winning start to the season, firing on all cylinders to overcome Ballymacash Rangers’ equivalents at Clandeboye Park.
The side led by assistant Ian Boal – who deputised in the absence of Under-20s boss David Downes – and Dean Gordon hit the Lisburn club for six, with three goals in each half doing the damage and kicking things off on the front foot.
A quickfire brace from new captain Kristian Trainor set the wheels in motion with a quarter of an hour gone, before last season’s Player of the Year Sam Millar flicked home a third just past the 30-minute mark of the contest.
Following the interval, three different scorers rose to produce the goods that put seal on a 6-0 clean-sheet success. Ethan Scott slotted home just prior to the hour, as Sonny Redford and Charley Craig – last term’s two main marksmen – rounded off the goal count at the last.
Player spotlight:
It was a dual display of industry and work-rate from midfield between Ethan Scott and the versatile Adam Ambrose, with the former standing out having capped off a controlling shift in the middle of the park with a side-footed finish that reflected the composure he was playing with. Image from Joe McEwan.
Such a result sees the Seasiders shoot up the table at double-quick notice, and in a revamped 15-team Championship/PIL Development League where teams face each other twice rather than four times as was the case last term – two flights of eight an altered formula – a statement of intent was laid out by the second string that they mean business this time around.
18-year-old Craig, who emerged from the bench in Saturday’s home bash that perhaps served as an appetizer to the seniors’ main event, could not hide his delight at starting the season in just that fashion.
“Yeah, as soon as we got into it, when we got the first goal, it started flowing,” he enthused. “You know, we didn’t have the best pre-season but first game of the season, it’s good to get out and good to play some football.
“Yeah, as soon as we got into it, when we got the first goal, it started flowing”
A finely taken opener by Kristian Trainor was just what was needed to inspire Bangor Reserves to continue the goal hunt, believed Charley Craig
“Some of the football we played today was unbelievable. Just, the talking, the passing, patterns, everything… the way we were moving inside and then coming back in, it was unbelievable.”
The quotes section:
“As soon as we got into it, when we got the first goal, it started flowing. You know, we didn’t have the best pre-season but first game of the season, it’s good to get out and good to play some football. Some of the football we played today was unbelievable. Just, the talking, the passing, patterns, everything… the way we were moving inside and then coming back in, it was unbelievable” – young striker Charley Craig could not hide his thorough enjoyment of the brand of football he and his team-mates have been set up to deploy. Image from Joe McEwan.
Craig also added that the selection of Trainor, who debuted for the first-team in a BetMcLean Cup tie with Coleraine aged just 16 back in September 2021, for the captain’s armband was a wise decision, shedding light on the respect he carries within the Reserves’ dressing room.
Reverting to back the flying left-winger role where he made his name having been experimented in midfield at points last season, Trainor led by example with two cool finishes to set the stall.
“Aye, he’s a good captain, a good lad,” Craig explained.
“It’s good to have a guy like him as captain, he’s very committed to the club, very vocal in the group and he gets us up for games with the way he goes about himself… yeah, good lad.”
“It’s good to have a guy like him as captain, he’s very committed to the club, very vocal in the group”
Striker Charley Craig believes Kristian Trainor has all the attributes needed to lead Bangor Reserves to success
Trainor’s opener was a thing of pure beauty. On 11 minutes, he took on board Millar’s pass down the line and skimmed by his opposition full-back with a sublime no-touch turn, racing towards goal thereafter before finishing with coolness and composure at the Ballymacash stopper’s near post.
His left-footed free-kick just four minutes later equally displayed the speedy forward’s ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck. Curling past the wall from 20 yards out, he picked out the bottom left corner just as he had done for his first and pierced home with aplomb.
In making it 3-0, Millar turned from provider to punisher when his deft touch from a right-sided corner nestled neatly in the opposite bottom left, before Scott bucked the trend after the break by side-footing assuredly into the right side of the net. Three strikes of the upright in the space of nine second-half minutes implied there were more goals in this game, with Trainor, Redford and Craig all mere inches away.
Albeit they only arrived within the concluding two minutes of regulation, they added further gloss to what was a largely dominant display.
The crossbar was left rattling once more after substitute Callum Johnston’s header cracked the frame of the goal, but the instinctive Redford chested home the follow-up to make it a high five. Craig rifled a swerving shot 60 seconds later to complete a resolute goal haul.
Featured image from Sarah Harkness.
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