Bangor City Men’s Hockey team were held to a 2-2 draw at home to bottom side Oxton 3rds on Saturday.
The result, coupled with a 4-2 home victory for 10th placed Bebington, effectively relegates Bangor from North West Hockey League Division Two, with one game remaining.
Although 11th-placed City remain three points behind Bebington, they would need a 40 goal swing to go in their favour next Saturday to leapfrog their rivals, as City face a tough trip to second-placed Warrington.
After a promising start to the season for Bangor, the second half has been disappointing with gradually dwindling playing numbers taking its toll on results.
However, no excuses can be made for Saturday’s laboured display as Bangor lined up with a full eleven and two substitutes, while Oxton travelled to Ffriddoedd with just 10 players.
In blustery conditions, both sides struggled to keep the ball under control, but City carved out an early opportunity with captain Paul McCallum having a powerful shot well saved. City went one better on 14 minutes as Harri Evans slammed a close range shot past the keeper after good work from Harry Street.
After the goal, the visitors stepped up their game by pressing the hosts well and pouncing on the counter attack. After forcing a short corner, they levelled the scores with a low shot that went underneath the dive of keeper Keith Proudlove.
The City glovesman was called into action again to deny Oxton a second soon after, as the visitors grew in confidence. Bangor had further chances through Harri Evans and Flynn Holt, but the scoreline remained one-all at the break.
The hosts began the second half on the front foot and they re-took the lead within four minutes of the restart, with debutant Will Hall sweeping home a cross from Paul McCallum.
City continued to push, but found it difficult to break down the visitors’ defence. Harry Collins-Jones steered a shot just wide and Street had an effort saved by the Oxton keeper.
The away side still posed a threat on the break though and after earning two consecutive short corners, they levelled from the second in fortuitous circumstances, with a cross into the box taking a heavy deflection from a Bangor stick and past the helpless Proudlove in goal.
Bangor went in search for the all-important third goal in the closing 10 minutes, but were unable to find a way past the resolute Oxton backline as both sides shared the spoils.
The Blues will hope to end the season on a positive note away at Warrington on Saturday, 1.45pm pushback.
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