BANGOR 2 - 1 INSTITUTE

CARNEGIE FIRST DIVISION
Clandeboye Park, Saturday 3rd March 2007
Match Report by Neil Watson

Two goals from Paul McDowell helped Bangor come from behind to beat Institute today at a sun-kissed Clandeboye Park.  Having fallen behind to a 4th minute Ryan Campbell goal, Bangor fought hard to get themselves back into the game and found the equaliser in the 17th minute thanks to McDowell’s 20th goal of the season.  McDowell was the Bangor hero as he slotted home the deserved winner in the 70th minute.

Institute had the perfect start to the match when their leading marksman, Ryan Campbell, found himself through on goal after Bangor had lost possession up field.  The former-Dergview forward held off the attentions of the covering Harbinson to fire the ball under the on-rushing Brown and into the back of the net.

Falling behind so early seemed to spur the home side on as they rifled shots in on goal from distance.  Paul McDowell didn’t catch his effort cleanly in the 12th minutes as his 20-yarder rolled past the left post. 3 minutes later, Andy Morrow’s powerful shot from 25-yards, after skilfully beating Quigley, had to be well pushed away by Miller low to his right.

Bangor’s efforts were rewarded in the 17th minute when a long-throw from John Bailie wasn’t properly cleared by the visiting defence.  The ball fell to McDowell on the left angle of the penalty area.  The forward cut inside his marker before curling a shot through a crowd of players and into the bottom right corner of the goal. Ryan Brown had to be on form to deny James Quigley a goal in the 20th minute.  Quigley received Sproule’s pass, but the midfielder’s 10-yard shot was well saved by Brown low to his right.

The game began to descend into a scrappy affair with both sides struggling to string any number of passes together on a bumpy surface.  But it was Glenn Miller in the visiting goal who was called into action in the 36th minute as the ‘keeper had to hold onto a stinging Melly drive from 30-yards. As half time approached, Institute were dealt a blow as they had to reshuffle their team with Sproule and Seydak limping off to be replaced by Ferry and Gill respectively.

Half time: 1 – 1

The second half began as the first had ended, with neither side being able to stamp their authority on the game.  This led to some meaty challenges with Collier, McIlmoyle and Harbinson all begin booked in quick succession. Institute had a good chance to re-take the lead in the 67th minute, but Declan Divin shot wide from 16 yards after being player in by McIlmoyle.

Ryan Campbell found himself with a perfect opportunity to give his side the lead only 2 minutes later after latching onto a long ball up field.  As Jason Allen tried to cover, Campbell blasted his effort straight at Brown who blocked superbly, before Allen tidied up the danger. This proved a costly miss for the visitors as Bangor found themselves in front a minute later.  Andy Morrow, who had been tightly marked by McLaughlin all match, did superbly to hold off his marker on the edge of the Institute penalty area.  The Bangor captain rolled the ball across the penalty area to the unmarked McDowell who coolly slid the ball into the bottom left corner past the helpless Miller.

Now a goal behind, Institute threw everything upfront and seemed certain to score in the 79th minute.  Substitute Ciaran Ferry crossed from the right towards Campbell.  From 8 yards out, the big forward seemed to be picking his spot but some brilliant defending from the impressive Stephen Collier cleared the ball from danger. The visitors continued to threaten but some stout defending from a resolute Bangor side kept each Institute attack at bay.  As the game drew to a close, James Quigley shot wide from 20 yards, while Brian Hylands had to clear a dangerous cross in the dying seconds.

Despite the attacks, Bangor held on for a crucial victory which lifts the Seasiders to second place in the league with the title very much in the balance for every side involved in this fascinating challenge.

Full-time: 2 –1

Bangor: Brown, Collier, Hylands, Allen, Bailie, Harbinson, Kerr (Guy), Irvine, Morrow, McDowell, Melly.  Subs not used: Gribben, Dougherty.

Scorer: McDowell (’17, ’70)
Booked: Collier, Harbinson, Bailie.

Institute: Miller, Scoltock, Seydak (Gill), McLaughlin, Quigley, Ogilby, Boyle, Divin, Sproule (Ferry), Campbell, McIlmoyle.  Sub not used: Philson

Scorer: Campbell (‘4)
Booked: McIlmoyle, Ferry, Quigley