By Neil Watson
BANGOR are back at home again this Saturday afternoon as the Seasiders welcome high- flying Coleraine to Clandeboye Park (3pm).
Fresh from taking on Linfield last week, Lee Feeney must now prepare his side to do battle with another one of the league favourites as the challenging nature of Premiership football sets in.
Coleraine sit just a point behind league leaders Glentoran – the only side they have lost to this season – and have found themselves rejuvenated following significant investment from new majority shareholder Henry Ross last December.
That investment made the Showgrounds a more attractive destination and the Bannsiders have been able to strengthen their squad with the high-profile addition of Joel Cooper from Linfield.
It will be another tall order for the Seasiders to go toe-to-toe with full time opposition, and Feeney is realistic when it comes to the challenge which lies ahead.
“Our season won’t be defined by games against the likes of Linfield and Coleraine,” admitted the Bangor manager.
“Just like last Friday night, we want to compete and make a game of it, but we know it is going to be difficult for us. Coleraine have a quality squad with some top players, and we will have to be at our very best on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s already looking like a mini- league within the Premiership and we know everyone expects us to be at the bottom of that. It’s up to us to keep working hard, to keep learning and to ultimately prove people wrong.
“There are games we will want to target, and If we can get something from a game against teams at the top of the league then it will be a big bonus for us.”
Then, on Tuesday night, Bangor’s attentions turn to the BetMcLean Cup as Lisburn Distillery visit Clandeboye Park (7.45pm).
The Premier Intermediate League side have had a mixed start to their season, progressing through the Preliminary Round of the BetMcLean Cup as well as winning in two rounds of the Irish Cup.
But a draw and a defeat in their opening two league fixtures has been followed up with an early exit in the Steel and Sons Cup at the hands of Willowbank.
