by Neil Watson
There are two fixtures in three days for Bangor this week as they aim to get off the mark in the league and progress in the County Antrim Shield.
On Saturday (3pm), Carrick Rangers make the trip to Clandeboye Park in the Premiership, before the Seasiders head to Blanchflower Park to face H&W Welders in the opening round of the County Antrim Shield on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
While Lee Feeney wants his side to progress in the knockout competition, full focus is on Saturday afternoon, as Bangor look to pick up their first points of the season against an experienced Carrick side.
Stephen Baxter’s men have picked up two wins from their opening three fixtures, defeating both Limavady United and Portadown, before losing out to Coleraine last weekend.
While the Seasiders have yet to register a goal or a point in their first two outings, manager Feeney is pleased with the performances – especially in last weekend’s defeat at Stangmore Park.
“I’m very proud of the players and their performance,” Feeney reflected.
“I know we conceded two goals on Saturday, but I thought that we defended reasonably well. We handled possession well and we played nearly all of the second half around Dungannon’s penalty area.
“We had a purpose with the way we played on Saturday, which was really pleasing, it’s just unfortunate that we didn’t do enough to create clear-cut chances or get a goal.
The Bangor boss continued: “Lewis Francis had a good chance from a header in the first half that he should have done better with and then, in the second half, we had so many moments where we played great football, but just that final pass or final touch in the penalty area was lacking.
“That was the only thing that was missing from our performance because I was really happy with everything else on Saturday.”
The Seasiders had strong penalty appeals waved away by referee Tony Clarke in the second half, when substitute Ben Arthurs appeared to be pulled back by Daniel Wallace as the two players battled for a Reece Neale delivery.
A penalty at the other end inside the last 10 minutes sealed the game for Dungannon Swifts, and Feeney felt that the referee got one of those two decisions correct.
“To be honest, I’m not disappointed in the decision to give the penalty against us,” Feeney said.
“I can understand why it was given and, if it was at the other end of the pitch, I would have been looking for a penalty too.
“For the pull on Ben, it’s the type of decision that you see getting given. There are photos of the shirt being pulled off Ben, so it’s frustrating that we didn’t get that decision.
“Dungannon were pretty clear with how they defended against Ben when he came on. They were very physical with him, because they know the threat he has.
“That’s something we’ll have to plan for and maybe be a bit smarter with, because there was so much grappling and pulling going on.”
When Saturday’s fixture with Carrick Rangers is completed, the Seasiders will turn their attentions to H&W Welders.
The Championship side sit second in the table, winning three of their four fixtures so far, and they will fancy their chances against Bangor at Blanchflower Park.
However, Feeney wants his side to rise to that challenge, especially as it may give some players an opportunity to stake a claim for a starting place.
“We have a healthy squad and good competition for places,” he added.
“Some of the players who maybe haven’t got too much game time so far will get an opportunity, and they will want to go to prove a point as to why they should be in the team.”
