ANDERSON CUP FINAL
BANGOR 3
SOUTH ANTRIM 2
BANGOR Hockey Club’s First Eleven wrote their name into the history books last Wednesday evening when they ended the wait for an elusive first senior cup title.
A hat-trick from Ryan Burgess led the side to a 3-2 Anderson Cup Final victory over South Antrim at Havelock Park in Banbridge, as Bangor broke new ground on a night which will live long in the memory.
That the final brought together two clubs who had never tasted such cup success made the occasion, and the atmosphere, even more charged. Supporters from both clubs were in fine voice with Bangor welcomed onto the pitch not only by family members spanning generations, but also past and present players including seven of the squad who played in Bangor’s only previous Anderson Cup final appearance in 1989.
It felt that everything was destined to work against Bangor in the lead up to the game, with ever-present defenders Myles McNaught and Harry Brankin unavailable due to their Burney Cup commitments the following day. Players were called in, with special permission having to be sought to do so.
In the frightfully cold Banbridge night air, the game got off to a frenzied start with both umpires looking to stamp their authority on the game. South Antrim’s raucous supporters jeered every mistrap, goading Bangor players to slip up at any opportunity. The Bangor men stayed strong, playing quick-flowing hockey down both flanks.
In defence, they forced South Antrim into multiple passing errors leading to yo-yo possession throughout the first quarter. Harris Massey pounced on a Simon Cox deflection into the D to unleash a reverse stick shot, but the tight angle allowed Ian Glass in goals to make the save.
Moments later, good work down the right-hand side between Ryan Burgess and Sam O’Hara resulted in a penalty corner, which again was well saved by the South Antrim goalkeeper. End-to-end play kept the crowd entertained and players blowing as crucial interceptions were made by Andew McGimpsey and Seb Holley with the former unlucky to see green just before the end of the quarter following a rambunctious 50-50 challenge.
The second quarter started a little more subdued, with Bangor having most of the possession in South Antrim’s half. However, it amounted to nothing as South built their own possession by finding a way into the Bangor D. A blocked shot failed to be dealt with as South’s Rory Brown capitalised on missed tackles to allow his follow-up shot be hammered into the Bangor goal.
It was South who had the next opportunity, winning a fortunate penalty corner which needed Bangor’s Chris Kent at full stretch for a superb double save. Bangor retained their structure and fortitude through Adam Tweed, Harry Dow, Jack Magowan and Dave McClune to build a spell of sustained possession culminating in Burgess winning a short corner.
The Bangor 23 stepped up and converted with aplomb into the bottom right-hand corner. It continued this way with the quarter hooter sounding once Simon Cox had won a penalty corner following a marauding run into the D. Despite a re-award, Glass again thwarted Burgess with his rasping attempt.
A lively start to quarter three saw Chris Campbell win the ball in South’s circle and whip a cross to Harris Massey who was in the perfect position to finish, but he was equally matched by the wingspan of Glass who got down in time just to clear his lines.
South then turned the screw, keeping possession and picking out their hard-running forwards. One such opportunity saw them pick and spin for a clear shot on goal which whistled past Kent’s right post.
Shortly afterwards, Campbell won a free in his own half which saw South issued with a green card. The proceeding counter-attack saw JJ Holley, indomitable in his leads and link up play, tee up captain Ryan Lyall whose thundering shot was turned around the post.
The ensuing long corner saw Burgess attack the D with vigour, cooly lifting the ball and drawing a reckless challenge to win a penalty corner.
He duly dispatched his second goal, this time slinging it into the right-hand side of the net leaving Glass with no chance.
Another penalty corner followed, won by Chris Campbell in the right corner. This time, it was expertly charged down and the lightning counter-attack needed Kent’s intervention again to keep South at bay.
A period of extreme pressure quickly followed for Bangor as in rapid succession they received a yellow and then two green cards. South besieged the Bangor D with notable entries resulting in missed shots and Kent’s cat-like reflexes as he was called upon with his outstanding defence of Adam Duffield, Seb Holley, O’Hara and McGimpsey time and again to maintain the scores.
Quarter four was evenly-matched and frosty – much like the Banbridge pitch. Courageous defensive efforts by Kent and his team enabled great build-up play between the Holley brothers, but the resultant short corner was well dealt with and allowed a launch for repeated South counters, one of which along the byline resulted in a dubious penalty stroke ruling. Peter Milligan coolly sent Kent the wrong way and with eight minutes to go, the scores were level at 2-2.
Bangor’s response was immense; a breakaway through Seb Holley found Burgess careering down the right channel, pulling the ball back to Massey. His initial shot was saved but he reacted to set up his rebound only to be stick-tackled in the process. The umpire adjudged this to be worthy of a penalty stroke and tensions became yet more febrile as Burgess stepped up to take Bangor one clear and secure his hat-trick.
He duly obliged, rifling it into the left-hand side of the net as Bangor bunkered in for the remaining enthralling five minutes.
Kent was called upon again as a South forward was put through one-on-one, the Bangor ’keeper racing out to catch him unawares and deny the equalizing chance. Level heads and monstrous aerials followed in an effort to protect the lead and keep possession in South’s half. Despite their relentless attacks, Bangor managed to hold the lead and close out the game to an almighty cheer from players, coaching staff and fans alike.
Captain Ryan Lyall jubilantly lifted the Anderson Cup to ensure the club enjoyed a night they would never forget.
The players would like to thank the supporters for their exceptional backing which saw them through the most challenging of matches. Thanks also go to the coaching staff who always had faith in their team’s ability, despite the challenges thrown their way, and lastly to the class of 1989 for their support and Raymy Parker’s kind words of congratulations.
