Bangor manager Lee Feeney remains defiant about his team's performance despite a 2-0 Premiership defeat to Dungannon Swifts on Saturday. The loss leaves Bangor 11th in the table with zero points, zero wins, zero draws, and two losses from their opening two fixtures of the campaign.
Feeney's assessment, reported by the Newsletter, focused on what he saw as a dominant display that didn't translate to goals. Sean McAllister opened the scoring for Dungannon Swifts after 11 minutes with a long-range effort. Andrew Mitchell sealed the points with a late penalty, condemning Bangor to a second consecutive defeat after their opening day loss to Cliftonville.
How did Bangor perform against Dungannon?
Lee Feeney was proud of his team's display at Stangmore Park. "I thought we played really, really well," the Bangor manager said. He believed his side controlled large portions of the game against a team he considers the best footballing side in the league.
Bangor had more possession and spent more time in Dungannon's half according to Feeney. He praised his team's defensive application and felt they dominated the second half territorially. The problem was a lack of cutting edge in the final third. Feeney admitted his team never really created any major chances despite their control of the ball.
What is Bangor's current league position?
The defeat leaves Bangor in a difficult spot early in the season. They sit 11th in the Premiership with zero points from two matches. Their goal difference stands at minus five, having conceded five goals without scoring any. They are already ten points behind early leaders Coleraine FC.
This start mirrors the challenge of their previous top-flight return. Back then, Bangor won six of their opening eleven matches to preserve their status. That run included victories over both Dungannon Swifts and Coleraine. The form dipped dramatically afterwards, with just four more wins from their next twenty-seven games. They eventually finished three points above Crusaders in tenth place.
What comes next for Bangor?
Attention now turns to a difficult away fixture against Glentoran on September 12th. Glentoran currently sit second in the table, presenting another stern test for Feeney's side. The manager will be desperate to see his team convert their perceived performances into points.
Bangor's early season statistics make for grim reading. They have failed to score in 180 minutes of football while conceding at an average of 2.5 goals per game. You can track their progress and upcoming matches on our standings and fixtures pages. The need for a result at The Oval is already significant.
Feeney's belief remains unshaken. "I thought we had more possession, we played more in their half and we probably outplayed the best footballing team in the league," he stated after the Dungannon game. Turning that belief into points is the immediate task for Bangor as they look to climb off the bottom of the table.
