BANGOR 0-0 CARRICK RANGERS

Carnegie First Division
Match Report by Neil Watson
Saturday 11th March 2006

Bangor and Carrick fought out a drab scoreless draw at a blustery Clandeboye Park, with chances being at a premium. Both goalkeepers were rarely tested as attacks broke down in the final third of the field on numerous occasions.

The match started slowly and it was after 15 minutes that Carrick threatened the Bangor goal. A cross from the right flank found Frankie Small at the back post. Small’s first time effort was well blocked by Kerr despite appeals for a handball from the visitors.

Bangor’s best chance of the half arrived after 17 minutes. Brian Russell crossed from the right towards Jim McCloskey at the far post. McCloskey controlled the ball well but the forward’s shot flew a yard past the right hand post.

Both sides struggled to create any clear-cut chances with McKenna and Dunlop blasting high over the bar for Carrick and Bangor respectively.

Half-time: 0 – 0

The second half eventually sprung into some form of life after 65 minutes. McKenna’s cross from the left just evaded Frankie Small’s lunge 8 yards from goal before the ball was hooked to safety.

3 minutes later and Bangor almost grabbed the opener from the best bit of football in the match. David Officer caught O’Reilly in possession of the ball on the left flank before exchanging a neat one-two with Andy Morrow. Officer collected the return pass before firing an angled cross into the penalty area for John Douglas. As the cross sailed over Alan Murphy’s head, Douglas volleyed first time only to see Michael Dougherty acrobatically tip the vicious shot over the crossbar.

At the other end of the pitch, Ryan Brown 1 had to be on top form to spare Grant Dunlop’s blushes after 26 minutes. A low corner from the left was sliced by Dunlop as he attempted to clear the ball. The ball seamed to be looping over Brown but the ‘keeper threw himself backwards to superbly push the ball onto the roof of the net.

The Bangor ‘keeper again had to be on form to deny Philip Rogan scoring from 10 yards. A cross from the left evaded the Bangor defence before finding Rogan. The former-Bangor striker turned his man before shooting low. Fortunately for Bangor, the sprawling Brown managed to block the shot with his legs

As the game drew to a close, Bangor almost snatched victory through Grant Dunlop. Substitute Ryan Brown 2 played a low pass into Andy Morrow’s feet 12 yards from goal. Morrow then laid the ball into the path of Grant Dunlop, but the midfielder’s shot from the edge of the penalty area flew wide of the right post.

Bangor: Brown 1, Holland, Officer (Bowers), Larmour, Massey, Russell, Dunlop, Kerr, Morrow, Douglas (Nicholl), McCloskey (Brown 2).

Booked: Morrow, Officer

Carrick Rangers: Dougherty, O’Reilly, McKenna, Adams, Murphy, Prenter, McIllhagga, Taggart, Gray, Rogan, F Small (Doherty). Subs not used: S Small, Bell
Booked: McIllhagga

Referee: Mr David Malcolm