BANGOR City Men's hockey team went down to a 2-1 defeat away at Winnington Park 2nds on Saturday.

In a classic game of two halves, the home side had much the better of the first half, pinning City back and forcing the visitors to defend for long spells.

Several attacks were thwarted by the determined Bangor backline and goalkeeper Harri Evans, before Park eventually took a deserved lead on 25 minutes with a smart move from a short corner.

They doubled their advantage two minutes later, from a short corner strike which deflected in off the stick of the unfortuate Ash Hardkaker.

However, the City defender had a huge second half as his side grew in confidence after the break. He and his fellow defenders made several superb tackles to further frustrate the home side, while Evans continued with some goalkeeping heroics of his own to keep Bangor in the game.

The last 25 minutes was all Bangor, with captain Paul McCallum going close, while Hardaker flashed a drag-flick just over the crossbar on a short corner.

He made his second short corner attempt count, by drilling a low shot underneath the Winnington keeper, to make it two-one.

The home side retreated into their own half as City pursued an equaliser in the moments. Hardaker went close with another short corner while several dangerous deliveries flashed past the post. However despite their best efforts, they could not find the all-important second goal.

City are in action twice at the Ffriddoedd astroturf pitch this weekend. They play Neston 4s at home on Saturday (2.15pm) before hosting Knutsford 2nds on Sunday in a rearranged match (2.30pm).