BANGOR City Men’s hockey team signed off on the first half of their North West Hockey Division Two campaign with a 3-0 loss at Wilmslow 3rds.

An inexperienced City side began brightly, with Harry Collins-Jones, Flynn Holt and Caleb Evans looking sharp in attack.

Bangor came close through Gwion Jones and Keith Proudlove during the opening exchanges, while Ash Hardaker drew a smart save from the Wilmslow goalkeeper from a drag flick.

Wilmslow had their moments too, forcing Bangor glovesman Harri Evans into some tremendous saves and also being denied on one occasion by a superb goal line clearance from Andrzej Griffiths.

However, one well-struck shot from the edge of the D made it through and gave the hosts a slender half time lead.

In search of an equaliser, the Blues started the second half on top.

They came very close to levelling the scores on 43 minutes when Hardaker struck the post with another drag flick, and Patrick Wright steered the rebound just wide. Holt and David Paterson also drew saves from the home keeper, who proved a thorn in Bangor’s side all afternoon.

City’s inability to make the most of their chances proved costly, and although little separated the two sides, Wilmslow’s composure in front of goal proved decisive.

They added a second on 57 minutes from a short corner, before virtually putting the game to bed on 63 minutes with a goal after a well-worked move.

Bangor head into the mid-season break in ninth position, three points above the relegation zone. Next up for them is a home match against local rivals Eirias on Saturday, January 11.