POST-MATCH VERDICT: Bangor happy with away point but 'second half we were the better side'
Ben Arthurs’ equaliser early in the second half left Bangor salvaging a share of the spoils from Saturday’s visit to Shamrock Park.
Here’s the verdict of Bangor assistant manager John Douglas:
OVERALL PERFORMANCE...
“Both teams gave absolutely everything...it wasn't a great spectacle for passing and moving, I don't think the conditions allowed that.
"I thought first half we struggled a little bit, we were definitely not at our best, we were kind of predictable.
"So we spoke about a few things at half-time and encouraged the players to go and express themselves more when we had possession of the ball.
"I thought second half we were the better side.
"All-in-all, both teams were happy with the point.
"I have to say, credit to the players for the character they showed, getting themselves back into the game so quickly after half-time.
"I think we had a few half-chances in the second half where we could have gone on and got the three points. “That said, I think it would have been unfair on Portadown.”
GOAL RULED OUT...
“We scored a goal in the first half which I didn't think was offside at the time.
"Obviously the linesman's gave it as offside.
"I watched the play happening and I didn't think he was offside.
"I think if we got ourselves in front...the first goal was always going to be important.”
POINT ON THE ROAD... “Listen, the boys have been superb (as a promoted club).
"We've come into this league and obviously during the recruitment stages we tried to identify players that had the potential to grow, first and foremost.
"Players that were hungry to improve and we've an honest bunch in there. “They actually get excited week in, week out over going out and facing established Premiership players.
"It's showing on a weekly basis, they're competitive every single game.
"In this league there's no easy games.
"I mean, it's number one to 16...the players that start the game and then the players that finish the game, they all know that everybody's in it together.
"Depending on some weeks, the formation dictates players maybe getting put onto the bench and they know to accept that.
"But every player knows that when they cross that white line that they give themselves a good account of themselves, because there's boys sitting there.
"We’ve a good squad, a young squad, a hungry squad.
"There's boys sitting there waiting to take their place if they drop their standards.”