|
|
|
|
LINFIELD 3-0 BANGOR, JJB SPORTS IRISH CUP
Linfield signalled their intent from the start, with Oran Kearney chipping his shot just wide of the post after John Bailie won the ball from Glenn Ferguson after just 90 seconds. The deadlock was to be broken after 4 minutes when Ryan Brown spilled Ferguson's 18 yard shot, allowing Northern Ireland international Peter Thompson the chance to tap the ball home from 8 yards. Thompson had a glorious opportunity to double the advantage in the 13th minute when he found himself through on goal. But as the striker picked his spot from the edge of the penalty area, the on-rushing Brown made himself big enough to block the low shot. An injury to Stephen Collier forced a substitution as Carl Rezai replaced the defender in the 17th minute. Rezai found himself in the middle of the action as Bangor began to keep the ball well and froce a series of corners which were well defended by the Linfield rear-guard. Linfield were guilty of being wasteful in front of goal as Peter Thompson and Jim Ervin volleyed their efforts high over the bar when well placed. Oran Kearney should have scored in the 33rd minute, but the midfielder dragged his shot across goal and past the post after the former-Ballymena favourite cut in from the left wing. Half-time: 2 - 0 A change of tactics from Bangor at half-time saw Marty Verner replace Stephen Munn as the visitors looked to gain something from the match. . That was easier said than done however, as Linfield continued to show their class in what was a very professional display. Having won a freekick 25 yards from goal, Damian Curran forced a low save from Brown who was then quick enough to get to his feet to block Ferguson's close range follow up in the 53rd minute. Glenn Ferguson added to his earlier goal on the hour mark when the forward gathered the ball on the edge of the penalty area before turning and thrashing a shot past Brown and into the corner of the net. Two minutes later, Ferguson had the perfect chance to seal his hat-trick when Jim Ervin won his side a penalty in controversial circumstances as he took a tumble after a Craig Gilmore challenge. Ferguson drilled his shot towards the bottom right corner, but Brown guessed right and superbly reached the ball to push the effort round the post. Bangor's best spell of attacking football arrived in the 81st minute when substitute Ryan Brown 2 raced down the right flank and sent in a low cross. The ball was not properly cleared allowing Andy Morrow the chance to fire in a low shot which was superbly blocked by a well timed Murphy challenge. Full-time: 3 - 0 Bangor: Brown 1, Collier (Rezai), Beggs, Munn (Verner), Gilmore, Harbinson, Melly, Irvine, Morrow, Bell (Brown 2), J Bailie. Subs not used: Rosson, Smith h Booked: Beggs, Irvine Linfield: Mannus, Ervin, O'Kane, N Bailie, Lindsay (Murphy), Dickson (Mouncey), Curran (Downey), Gault, Thompson, Ferguson, Kearney. Subs not used: McCann, Mulgrew Scorers: Thompson ('4), Ferguson ('45, '60) Referee: Mark Courtney |
English |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TERMS & CONDITIONS OF USE | Site Map ** | Contact Us |
Bangor's
Irish Cup dream was ended at a sunny Windsor Park as holders
Linfield brushed aside the challenge with a comfortable 3
nil victory. A Peter Thompson goal in the 4th minute gave
Linfield the lead before Glenn Ferguson doubled his side's
advantage on the stroke of half time from the penalty spot.
Bangor struggled to compete in the 2nd half, giving Glenn
Ferguson the chance to add to the score. The Linfield
stalwart had a chance to complete his hat-trick mid way
through the second half from the penalty spot, but this time
Ryan Brown superbly pushed the shot wide of the post. 
