FOR the second season in a row UUJ got off the mark with a home game against 1st Bangor Old Boys, but whereas last season the two-all draw merely made it one point out of nine, this time Fra Miskelly’s Men got off to the perfect start with this well deserved three points.

Unbeaten in their pre-season games, UUJ began in confident mood and only the thickness of the crossbar robbed Paul Berne of a debut goal. Instead it was another of Miskelly’s summer signings, Darren McElnea who set UUJ on their way, following a neat little one-two with Seamus Perry, who was making a welcome return.

Maybe UUJ eased their foot off the throttle just a little prematurely, but back came Bangor with a contested leveller; the home side claiming that keeper Eamon Browne had been impeded.

While Perry and Fra McKeown both went close, it was Bangor who took the lead for the first time just after the break courtesy of a well directed header that gave Browne no chance whatsoever.

UUJ, nevertheless, still looked the better side and they duly restored parity when Ricky Murphy and Perry combined for Neil McCabe to supply the close range finish.

The home side grabbed the winner they deserved five minutes later, with McElnea smashing in his second, slotting home a McCabe cross.

UUJ: Browne – Berne, McCullough, Duffy – F McKeown, Murphy (McKinley), Dobbin (Agnew), McElnea, Darby (Mooney) – Perry, McCabe.

Players In - Paul Berne, D, Newington YC; Brendan Agnew, M/S, Queens Grads; Darren McElnea, M, Newington YC; David Stuart, G. Players Out - Conor Mahoney, D/M, Crumlin Rec; Mark Dundas, M/S, Holywood FC.