BANGOR 1-1 DOWNSHIRE YM,
WKD INTERMEDIATE CUP
Clandeboye Park, Saturday 2nd February 2008
Match Report by Neil Watson
 Bangor
needed penalties to overcome Amateur League 1B side
Downshire YM at blustery Clandeboye Park. Having taken a
first half lead through Andy Morrow, Bangor were made to pay
for not converting chances as Danny Anderson levelled the
scores after the inteveral. Neither side could conjure up a
winner in extra time, but Ryan Brown was Bangor's hero as he
superbly saved Ryan Cree's spot kick to give his side a 4-3
victory on penalties.
David Irvine almost opened the scoring after 9 minutes when
he found himself with time and space following an Andy
Morrow cross from the right. The midfielder composed himself
but could only direct his 14 yard shot against the foot of
the left hand post.
The Seasiders did take the lead in the 20 minute as Andy
Morrow made the most of some poor defending to grab his 10th
goal of the season. Johnny Rosson's high right wing cross
caused confusion between defender and goalkeeper, allowing
the ball to fall kindly for Morrow to hook the ball over his
head and into the net from 8 yards.
Bangor struggled to exert total control of the game while
playing into a strong wind. But despite not being at their
best, Bangor created the clearer openings with Andy Forsythe
heading wide after 38 minutes and Andy Morrow firing a shot
over the crossbar moments before half-time.
Half-time: 1 - 0
Downshire got themselves back on level terms in the 55th
minute when forward Danny Anderson gathered the loose ball
inside the Bangor penalty area following a long freekick.
The striker did well to fire the ball across goal and into
the left corner of the goal past the despairing dive of Ryan
Brown.
The home side looked to hit back immediately but David
Irvine could only send his 10 yard headed effort wide when
under pressure following a fine Morrow cross.
The visiting defence was frustrating the Bangor forwards,
but as the Downshire team began to tire, goalkeeper Paul
Fielding did his best to keep his side in contention with a
series of fine stops. The first and arguably the best
arrived in the 69th minute when the 'keeper managed to
divert Andy Morrow's close range header over the crossbar
with a fine instinctive save.
Bangor used their only fit substitute moments later as Dom
Melly replaced James Bell. And it was Melly who created a
chance for Irvine in the 83rd minute when the substitute did
well to send in a dangerous cross. The ball was not properly
cleared allowing Irvine to pounce and head the ball
goalwards only for Fielding and a defender to block the ball
on the line before clearing to safety.
A string of chances late on could have won the game for
Bangor but Colin Beggs sent his header over the bar from a
good postition before Andy Forsythe forced Fielding into
another save from distance.
John Bailie almost found the winner in the 89th minute in
spectacular fashion when his first time volley from 20 yards
crashed off the crossbar as Bangor must have been
questionning whether it was to be their day.
Deep into injury time, Andy Forsythe latched onto a fine
through ball from Andy Morrow, but as the make-shift centre
forward looked to round the on-rushing Fielding, the
impressive goalkeeper used his outstretched leg to send the
ball to safety.
Full-time: 1 - 1
Bangor continued to press forward as Ryan Brown was left as
a spectator for long periods at the other end of the pitch.
Colin Beggs was unfortunate to see his shot deflected
agonisngly wide by a defender's shin, before Johnny Rosson
fired a shot over the crossbar from 25 yards.
Midway through exta-time, Stephen Munn created space for
himself on the edge of the penalty area following a Melly
corner, but the defender's low shot was smoothered by
Fielding diving to his left.
Bangor's best chance in extra time came after the sides
switched ends when the unmarked Dom Melly headed Andy
Morrow's cross into the side netting from close range as a
goal looked certain.
As penalties loomed, Downshire hung on as Andy Morrow and
Carl Rezai both went close for the home side.
AET: 1 - 1
Stephen Munn took Bangor's first penalty, but the defender
dragged his shot wide of the post. Adam Patton confidently
scored his sid'es first spot kick to give them the lead.
David Irvine was next up for Bangor and the midfielder made
no mistake while Marty Chappell also scored his side's
second penalty.
Andy Morrow kept his side in contention as he sent Fielding
the wrong way before Johnny Gibson watched as his kick
bounced clear off the crossbar.
Dom Melly scored Bangor's 4th penalty before Gareth Bingham
kept the scores level.
Carl Rezai put the pressure on the Amateur League side as he
converted Bangor's final penalty, allowing Ryan Brown the
chance to dive full stretch to his left to keep out Ryan
Cree's low shot and give Bangor a hard earned victory.
AET and Pens: 4 - 3
Bangor: Brown 1, Rosson, Beggs, Munn, Collier, Bell (Melly),
Rezai, Irvine, Morrow, Forsythe, Bailie. Sub not used: Brown
2
Scorer: Morrow ('20)
Booked: Irvine, Munn
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