BANGOR 2-1 DONEGAL CELTIC

Pre-Season Friendly - Clandeboye Park
Saturday 17th July 2007 
Match Report by Neil Watson

Paul Millar began his reign as Bangor manager with a successful outing against Premier League side Donegal Celtic. Two goals from Bangor forward Ryan Brown gave the new look side a creditable victory in an entertaining encounter.

With both sides offering starts to a host of new players, it was Bangor’s new signing Glenn Hand who created the first chance in the opening minutes.

After collecting a David Irvine pass on the right, Hand saw his driven cross just evade the lurking Brown.

Bangor’s bright start was rewarded in the 20th minute when Ryan Brown was played through on the right by Irvine. The Bangor forward kept his composure to slide the ball across goal and past the DC ‘keeper into the bottom left corner.

Minutes later, Simon Gribben was unlucky not to double the Seasiders lead when he acrobatically volleyed just wide of the left hand post after some excellent play from Hand and Andy Morrow.

Both sides continued to play some intricate football but struggled to force either goalkeeper into a meaningful save.

The closest Donegal Celtic came to opening their account for the season was when new signing David Munster saw his 25-yard shot flash wide of the right hand upright after a free kick had been cleared.

Half-time: 1–0

Donegal Celtic showed their worth in the 1st minute after the restart with the move of the match. Some fast paced passing involving nearly the whole side created enough space for McDonald to shoot from 10 yards.

Unfortunately for him and his team, Stephen Harbinson, guesting in goals for Bangor from Donegal Celtic for the night, superbly kept his team mate out.

The visitors did have the ball in the back of the net minutes later, but Paul McVeigh’s effort was ruled out for offside.

Stephen Harbinson again thwarted his own team when he courageously blocked McDonald’s 8 yard shot after the forward had beaten John Bailie.

Having soaked up pressure for 28 minutes of the second period, Bangor began to rediscover their earlier form. The impressive Glenn Hand found himself on the left flank where he skilfully beat his marker before centring the ball. Ryan Brown continued his fine night by getting in front of his marker at the near post and stooping to head the ball low past Declan Brown.

With both sides ringing the changes to get a look at their respective squads, Donegal Celtic pulled a goal back through substitute McCabe. Ian Bradley capitalised on a slip from Trailist #2 at left back for Bangor, before squaring the ball for McCabe to slot home.

Full-time: 2–1

Bangor: S Harbinson (Cummings), Bailie, Beggs (Trialist#2), Emerson, Massey (P Harbinson), Dunlop (Rosson), Hand, Irvine (Forsythe), Morrow, Gribben (Melly), R Brown (Trialist#1).

Scorer: Brown (’20, ’73)

Donegal Celtic: D Brown, Donaghy, M Harbinson, P Bradley, I Bradley, Gargain, Munster, Crawford, Armstrong, McDonald, McVeigh. Subs: Cardwell, MacAlorum, McCabe, Laverty, McNeill, Higgny.

Scorer: McCabe (’81)