CARRICK RANGERS 3-1 BANGOR

Taylors Avenue, Saturday 26th January 2008
Match Report by Neil Watson

A hat-trick from Carrick striker James Costello gave his side a much deserved win over an uninspired Bangor team. The home side raced into a two goal lead by half time before Marty Verner scored from the penalty spot to give Bangor hope. Costello was to have the final say however as he bagged his third goal of the game - and despite the best efforts of Ryan Brown 1, the Bangor defence was made to pay for some poor marking. Bangor's misery was compounded when defender Colin Beggs was given his marching orders following a rash tackle.

The home side had their first sight on goal in the 6 minutes when Pedro Delgado saw his 25 yard freekick crash off the outisde of the post with Brown scampering across his goal.

Carrick were forcing the early running and but for a fine save from Brown, Costello would have opened the scoring in the 10th minute when the lively striker cut in from the left and fired in a low shot.

The Bangor goalkeeper was again on hand to keep the scores level moments later when he was off his line quickly to block another Costello effort, allowing Bailie to clear the danger.

The Seasiders' had a brief flurry around the Carrick goal when Marty Verner curled an effort wide of the target and Stephen Collier saw his goalbound effort blocked by a crowd of bodies in the 6-yard box after 20 minutes.

James Costello opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a superbly executed diving header. The striker threw himself to connect with a long freekick to send the ball back across goal and into the top corner past the helpless Brown.

Bangor found themselves two goals behind 5 minutes later when Costello slotted the ball past the exposed Brown after some good play from Kyle McDowell as the visiting defence found themselves at sixes and sevens.

Marty Verner was out of luck on the stroke of half time when the striker found himself on the end of a good cross from Andy Forsythe. Verner cheekily backhealed the ball from 6 yards, but his effort rolled against the outside of the post with Shannon flat footed in the Carrick goal.

Half-time: 2 - 0

Carrick continued their dominance after the break and it was Costello who was proving to be a constant thorn in Bangor's side. Thankfully for Bangor, Ryan Brown was again on top form as he denied Costello from 18 yards.

Bangor were given a lifeline in the 62nd minute when David Irvine was fouled in the penalty area. Marty Verner continued his fine goalscoring form to slot the ball into the bottom corner and raise Bangor's hopes.

That goal didn't seem to spur the Seasiders on as it was Carrick who continued to look most threatening in attack. And the result was sealed in the 79th minute when Costello slammed the ball past Brown from a tight angle on the right as the forward secured a well deserved hat-trick.

James Costello and Kyle McDowell both went close to adding to Carrick's tally but the game was to end in unruly fashion as Colin Beggs was sent off by referee Colin Burns for a stamping offence on a Carrick player after a rash tackle from the Bangor defender which sparked a massed confrontation.

Full-time: 3 - 1

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

Scorer: Verner ('62 pen.) Booked: Collier, Emerson Sent off: Beggs

Carrick Rangers: Shannon, Watson, Adams, Prenter, Burns, Delgado (Gowdy), McNamee (Bond) , Taggart, Wilkinson, McDowell (???), Costello. Subs not used: Gray, McErlean

Scorer: Costello ('27, '34, '79) Booked: Shannon