BANBRIDGE TOWN 2-3 BANGOR

CARNEGIE FIRST DIVISION
Crystal Park, Saturday 27th January 2007
Match Report by Neil Watson

An empathic performance from a hard-working Bangor side handed the Seasiders three valuable points as the promotion race continues to hot up. Two first half goals from in-form striker Paul McDowell, who recorded his 12th goal in the last 9 games, and a second half header from captain Andy Morrow gave Bangor the lead they deserved before the home side scored twice late on to set up a tense finish.

Banbridge handed Bangor an opening after only 3 minutes. A poor free kick from inside the Banbridge half was blocked by Andy Morrow allowing the ball to fall into the path of Paul McDowell. The forward struggled to gain full control of the ball and as a result, Haveron in the Banbridge goals was able to save McDowell’s chipped effort at the second attempt.

Bangor’s high tempo at the start of the match was causing all sorts of trouble for the home side and it was some excellent passing football which led to the opening goal in the 5th minute. The impressive Dominic Melly sent the ball forward for Andy Morrow who beat the home side’s offside trap. The Bangor captain raced clear and shaped to shoot from 16 yards but instead unselfishly squared the ball to the unmarked McDowell who slid the ball into the open goal.

The Seasiders had the ball in the back of the net in the 21st minute when McDowell played Brian Hylands’ free kick into the path of Andy Morrow. Morrow coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the goal but referee Mr Hall ruled that the Bangor captain was offside.

It took only a further 3 minutes for the rampant Bangor side to double their lead. David Irvine, returning to the side from suspension, skilfully avoided the challenges of three Banbridge defenders before sliding a delightful through ball into Paul McDowell’s path. The suspiciously offside looking Bangor forward kept his composure when one-on-one with Haveron and hammered the ball into the top left corner of the goal to record his 15th goal of the season.

With a combination of David Irvine and new signing John Guy pulling the strings in the heart of midfield, Bangor continued to dictate proceedings against a frustrated Banbridge side and created chances for both Dominic Melly, who shot over the bar, and Irvine who headed wide of the target.

Andy Forsythe came close to adding to Bangor’s lead in the 44th minute. Dominic Melly used his trickery to escape the attentions of a defender on the right flank before laying the ball back to John Bailie. The defender swung in a dangerous cross to the back post where Forsythe could only direct his header into the side netting.

Deep in the 6th (SIXTH) minute of additional time played in the first half, Bangor once again threatened the Banbridge goal. Andy Morrow collected Paul McDowell’s pass before creating an opening for Dominic Melly. Unfortunately for Bangor, the on-loan Melly could only shoot low at Haveron.

Half-time: 0 – 2

Banbridge started the second half in a fired up mood and took the game to the visitors. However, a resolute defence withstood some serious pressure and restricted the home side to long range efforts – the most notable of which was David Irwin’s dipping 25 yard volley which flew over the crossbar.

Bangor responded to this pressure by scoring the third goal which effectively killed the game in the 56th minute. Having won a free kick in a central position 25 yards from goal, Dominic Melly curled his effort over a diving Haveron but against the crossbar. The ball bounced back into the six-yard box where Andy Morrow reacted quickest to head home from 4 yards to score the goal his effort deserved.

The impressive John Guy almost scored a goal to remember on his Bangor debut on the hour mark. The former Loughgall player collected the loose ball just outside the Banbridge penalty area before evading the lunging tackles of three defenders. However, as Guy closed down on the Banbridge goal, Haveron was quick off his line to block the midfielder’s effort.

Paul McDowell’s best chance to grab his second hat-trick in as many games arrived in the 73rd minute when his opportunist shot from 25 yards had to be beaten away by Haveron at full stretch, diving to his right.

Banbridge found themselves with a goal to their name in the 85th minute thanks to John-Joe Maguire. Substitute Ryan Evans swung in a low cross from the right which was met by Maguire on the penalty spot who swept the ball home past Brown.

A tense final few minutes were guaranteed thanks to Damian McParland’s acrobatic finish in the second minute of stoppage time. Ryan Evans’ cross from the right caused a scramble in the Bangor goalmouth, with Simon Nicks nodding the ball down to McParland who hammered the ball high into the net from 8 yards.

Full-time: 2 – 3

Bangor: Brown, Bailie, Hylands, Munn, Allen, Guy (Kerr), Melly (Dickson), Irvine, Morrow, McDowell, Forsythe. Sub not used: McKenna.

Scorers: McDowell (‘5, ’24), Morrow (’56)
Booked: Forsythe

Banbridge Town: Haveron, Derby (A Evans), P Evans, Kane, Nicks, Tumelty, Quinn, Irwin (McParland), Grant, (R Evans), Maguire, Moffett.

Scorers: Maguire (’85), McParland (’90 +2)
Booked: Tumelty, Quinn