By Neil Watson
BANGOR FC will aim to bounce back from last weekend’s opening day defeat to Cliftonville as they prepare to face Dungannon Swifts this Saturday.
Lee Feeney’s side lost out in what was their first match of the season last Saturday at the hands of an impressive Cliftonville team.
Two first half goals put Jim Magilton’s side in control, and only a string of saves from Gareth Deane restricted the Reds to one more goal in the second half.
The Seasiders were the better team in the opening exchanges, with Cliftonville’s opener coming against the run of play and the two goal advantage flattering the visitors.
But a flat second half performance will leave Lee Feeney looking for an improvement when they head to Stangmore Park this weekend.
“We had big moments on Saturday but we didn’t take them,” the Bangor manager reflected.
“We started really well and had chances but we wasted them. Against the run of play Cliftonville put a cross into our box which we didn’t deal with and they score from it.
“The lads responded well and found their feet again and were well in the game, but the same thing happened right on half time – another cross into the box, which we didn’t deal with, and all of a sudden we’re two goals behind.
“I didn’t think we deserved to be two goals behind at half time but we know the nature of the league.”
Feeney warned that if the team doesn’t take chances they will get punished.
“Even despite the scoreline I was confident we could get the next goal because we were playing well,” he added.
“But we were poor in the second half. We had another really good chance in a goalmouth scramble but didn’t take it and then we fell apart and Cliftonville steamrollered us for the last 25 minutes or so”
While the Seasiders will be looking to get their first points on the board – coincidentally at the venue where they picked up their most recent victory back in March – Dungannon Swifts will be aiming to make it back to back victories.
Last weekend, Rodney McAree’s side left Shamrock Park with all three points having defeated Portadown thanks to a first half strike from Kris Lowe.
That victory came after an opening day defeat at their own venue when league favourites Coleraine picked up maximum points.
