Bangor v Barn United,  Haslett Park, Carrickfergus
Intermediate Cup 3rd Round 5th Jan. 2008

Bangor progressed to the 4th round of the WKD Intermediate Cup thanks to a comfortable 4 goal victory over Barn United. Despite a sticky pitch and blustery conditions, Bangor played some attractive football which proved to be too much for a hard-working Barn side.

The Seasiders raced into an early lead through captain Andy Morrow in the 4th minute. A long punt up field from James Bell caused havoc in the home defence as the ball was allowed to bounce on the edge of the penalty area. Capitalising on the confusion, Andy Morrow nipped in between two defenders and sent a header over the stranded goalkeeper and into the empty net.

Despite dominating possession, Bangor struggled to create many clear openings to test the Barn goalkeeper. At the other end of the pitch, a Bangor defence marshalled by the returning Stephen Munn was able to soak up any presure which the home side was able to offer.

Andy Morrow was again causing trouble for the home side on the stroke of half time after some good play from the impresive Bell and Melly. The two on-loan midfielders combined well, spreading the ball across field, to pick out Morrow. The forward raced past his marker on the left wing before cutting in field and firing a 16 yard shot which had to be well beaten around the post by the 'keeper. Melly's resultant corner picked out Bell at the backpost, but his header was comfortably gathered by the imposing 'keeper.

Half-time: 0 - 1

The home side had their best chance of the match 4 minutes after half time but were kept at bay by a superb double save from Ryan Brown 1. A quickly taken freekick allowed Number 3 to fire a blistering 35 yard shot which forced Brown to beat the ball away. The rebound fell to Number 9 8 yards from goal, but with the goal at his mercy, the forward saw his shot superbly pushed around the post by the scrambling Brown as he leapt to his feet.

That save served as a reminder for the Bangor side, who pressed forward in search of another goal. That goal was to arrive in the 67th minute through James Bell. Gathering a quickly taken Colin Beggs throw in, John Bailie marauded up field before crossing the ball for James Bell who made no mistake in heading home from close range.

Dominic Melly got the finishing touch to a fine move in the 77th minute. Andy Forysthe did well to pick out Andy Morrow who in turn beat his marker and fired a low cross into the penalty area. Melly reacted quickly to get infront of his marker and fire the ball high into the net from close range.

The win was complete 5 minutes later in controversial fashion. Substitute Carl Rezai forced the Barn goalkeeper into a fine low save after fellow substitute Ryan Brown 2 had cut the ball back from the byline. As the ball rebounded to an offisde looking Brown, the forward managed to scramble the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net depsite protests from the home side.

Full-time: 0 - 4

Bangor: Brown 1, Collier, Beggs, Munn, Bailie, Bell, Melly, Irvine (Rezai), Morrow (Brown 2), Smith (Emerson), Forsythe. Sub not used: Rosson

Scorers: Morrow ('4), Bell ('67), Melly ('77), Brown 2 ('82)

Barn United: P.Brownlee, S.Dallas, S.Hilditch,D.Lough, N.McKnight, R.Hammond, G.McKee, J.Mathers, S.Gregg, S.Irvine, A.Kane