BANGOR City Men’s Hockey team got off to a winning start in 2019 with a 2-1 victory at home to Sale.

A mix-up at the back gave the Blues a nightmate start as the visitors took the lead in the second minute, with the ball trickling past helpless goalkeeper Rayshauun Suen.

However, City sprung into action and after exerting long spells of pressure on Sale, they drew level mid-way through the second half, thanks to a lovely finish from Paul McCallum.

After the break, skipper Ash Hardaker gave Bangor the lead with a piledriver of a drag-flick, which flew into the top corner.

And the Blues proceded to dominate the remainder of the second half, with Dave Paterson, Flynn Holt and Patrick Wright being denied by the visiting keeper.

Suen made a cracking save in the dying moments as Sale threatened to steal a point from City’s grasp late on, but Bangor held on for a deserved win, which takes them to within a point of safety in NWHL Division Three.

In other club news, City’s second team have unfortunately been forced to withdraw from NWHL Division 6, due to a lack of numbers. Captain Keith Proudlove and his players battled bravely during the first half of the season to fullfil every fixture, often travelling long distances more than one player short.

They managed to win two matches during that time.

However, with fewer players able to commit since the turn of the year, the difficult decision was taken to pull the team out. The seconds’ remaining players will now link up with Bangor’s first team for the rest of the season.

City travel to the other end of the A55 next Saturday to take on Northop Hall (2pm).

Anyone wishing to try out the sport is welcome to the Men’s team and Women’s team training session at 7pm at the Brailsford Centre 3G pitch in Bangor on Tuesday evenings. First sessions is free.