BANGOR 4 - 0 TOBERMORE UNITED

Intermediate First Division
Clandeboye Park ,10th December 2005

Bangor made the perfect start to the game, scoring the opening goal after only 3 minutes. A perfectly drilled corner from Douglas found the head of Jim McStravick at the near post. Foster blocked the initial header but Lee Feeney was on hand to tap the rebound home from 5 yards.

Minutes later both teams had to make early substitutions due to injuries. Grant Dunlop replaced John Kennedy for Bangor while Lamont replaced Hutchinson.

Bangor could have doubled their lead after 8 minutes. A well-executed tackle knocked the ball away from Morrow’s feet on the edge of the penalty area. Unfortunately for the Tobermore defender the ball fell to Lee Feeney but Foster did well to dive to his right to palm the ball behind.

Lee Feeney again could have added to his early goal after 14 minutes. A super pass from Kenny Camlin on the left flank bent round the last Tobermore defender and into the path of Feeney but the forward’s shot was well blocked by Foster.

After 22 minutes, Bangor got the second goal that they had deserved. Another dangerous corner by Douglas was half cleared to Lee Feeney on the edge of the 18- yard area. Feeney rolled the ball back out to Douglas who chipped the ball to the back post where Grant Dunlop managed to poke the ball home from 6 yards.

Tobermore rarely threatened the Bangor goal in the first period with only a volley from Gibson, which flew past the right post, signalling Bangor’s dominance.

Bangor scored their third goal 2 minutes before half-time thanks to some good football by the home side and some comical defending by the visitors. A lofted pass down the left flank from Cullen Feeney was just out of the reach of Andy Morrow. But as the Bangor captain chased after the ball, the Tobermore goalkeeper collided with a defender. This allowed Morrow to roll the ball across goal where the composed Lee Feeney duly slotted home.

Half-time: Bangor 3 – 0 Tobermore United

The second half began with a series of mistimed tackles that threatened to boil over on numerous occasions. Referee Robert Penny issued Barry Holland, Jim McStravick and Crockett with yellow cards in the space of 5 minutes. The persistent fouling, coupled with Tobermore substitutions, denied either team the chance to build any notable attacks.

Ryan Brown was called into action after 64 minutes. A powerful 25-yard drive by Gibson required the Bangor ‘keeper to produce an outstanding save – diving full length to his left to push the ball behind.

Bangor had a good chance to extend their lead minutes later. A good pass from Lee Feeney allowed Grant Dunlop to push forward and cut infield from the right wing. The lanky midfielder’s cross-cum-shot was cleared to safety at the back post as Kenny Camlin closed in.
Bangor had to readjust their defensive line-up once more when Barry Holland was carried off with a leg injury. Brian Russell replaced him while David Officer replaced Kenny Camlin.

Brown was again required to make a good save after 79 minutes. This time the Bangor ‘keeper had to push a vicious 35 yard shot over the cross bar after a Walsh free kick.

As the match threatened to boil over again, Cullen Feeney and Law were booked by Penny.

With 85 minutes played, some good goalkeeping at one end and more comical defending at the other led to Bangor’s fourth goal. A good catch from Brown was followed by a quick punt up field from the ‘keeper to Lee Feeney. As Feeney closed in on goal, Foster again collided with a defender allowing Feeney to pull the ball back for Morrow to slot home.

A fine Bangor win was marred by Cullen Feeney having to limp off injured after another late challenge. Feeney’s departure meant that Bangor had lost 3 defenders through injury during the match.

Bangor: Brown, Clifford, Kennedy (Dunlop), McStravick, Holland (Russell), C Feeney, Douglas, Kerr, Morrow, L Feeney, Camlin (Officer).

Scorers: Feeney (2) (‘3, ’43), Dunlop (’22), Morrow (’85)
Booked: C Feeney, Holland, McStravick

Tobermore: Foster, Storey, Law, McQuillan, Kelly, Leacock, McGinley, Hennighan, Gibson, Crockett, Hutchinson. Subs: Lamont, Walsh, Pattison.

Booked: Crockett, Law