By Rory McKee
Lee Feeney was unsurprisingly in high spirits after watching his Bangor side pick up maximum points from a key Premiership encounter at the weekend.
Only goal difference seperated the Seasiders and Portadown ahead of kick-off, and in the end it was Stephen Fallon’s first goal for the north Down club which settled the issue for Bangor.
“I felt we deserved it,” said a delighted Feeney afterwards.
“We should have been one or two up at half-time – their goalkeeper made a few good saves.
“In the second half we didn’t control the game as much as we changed the system a bit and went more direct, but we were definitely worth all three points.”
The Bangor manager agreed that fit-again first choice goalkeeper Gareth Deane had a relatively quiet afternoon but still praised the former Coleraine and Linfield man for his display.
“Gareth did everything with confidence and security and it fed through the rest of the team.
“He was brilliant with the ball at his feet, he came for crosses and his handling was really good. He brought lots of calm to the backline, and I thought the backline was super.”
Feeney continued: “We are at the stage of the season now where it’s about trying to take as much as you can from the teams around you and seperate yourself from the teams below you, as well as setting targets to try and catch the teams above.
“Every point we can pick up between now and the end of the season is vital.”
Feeney handed a starting place to defender Iestyn Hughes in Saturday’s win, less than 48 hours after his transfer to Clandeboye Park was confirmed.
He said of his new signing: “He looked really good. Iestyn was playing for Cobh Ramblers last year so he was at a decent level, he understands the type of football we are expecting to play here and he stepped in with ease.
“I didn’t want him to come off as he was brilliant but he had cramp,” added Feeney.
“I wasn’t intending to start him but I watched him in training and he looked great. Fair play to him because it has been a while since he last played.”
The Bangor boss also highlighted the depth of quality which he was able to introduce from the bench in the second half.
“I think that was one of our strongest benches this season and we’ve still got big players missing, like Liam Hassin, Caomhan McGuinness and Mark Haughey.
“I knew it was the sort of game that if we stayed in it, there would be opportunities to freshen things up.
“Alfie Mitchell is 17 years old and has come off the bench for us in the last three games.
“He’s head and shoulders above any 17 year-old I know in this country and I’m delighted for him. In such an important game, against a team with tricky wingers and good at set plays, he stepped in brilliantly.”
