BANGOR City men’s hockey team suffered a bruising 7-1 defeat away to NWHL Division Two opponents Neston 4ths.

Playing the opening 15 minutes with ten men, Bangor kept the hosts at bay fairly well until the Neston broke the deadlock on 12 minutes in dubious cirmumstances, with a thunderous strike which came after a stick tackle in the build up.

Bangor looked for an equaliser but were hit on the break on 22 minutes, as Neston bagged their second. They scored a third shortly after with a penalty flick, after Andrzej Griffiths was adjudged to have stopped a goalbound shot with his back stick - keeper Harri Evans went the right way but the shot was struck too well to keep out.

City’s attacking endeavour paid off just before half time, as Paul McCallum netted on the rebound after Harry Street’s initial shot was saved.

Chasing the game, Bangor began the second half well, with Harry Collins-Jones having a shot blocked on the line. Flynn Holt and Harry Street also had good opportunities but were just unable to get their efforts on target.

However, Neston rode the storm and dominated the final quarter of the the game, adding a further four goals during the last 20 minutes.

Bangor’s last match before the Christmas break takes place on Saturday, away to Wilmslow 3rds, 3pm pushback.