BANGOR 2-1 H&W WELDERS

CARNEGIE FIRST DIVISION, Clandeboye Park, Tuesday 29th January 2008
Match Report by Neil Watson

Two goals in a spirited second half performance were enough to get the Seasiders back on the winning trail. Having struggled to get control of play in the first half, Bangor totally dominated the second half and got their reward when James Bell broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. Andy Morrow doubled the lead in the 75th minute before Graham Aston set up a tense final few minutes as he converted from the penalty spot.

Bangor were able to welcome Craig Gilmore back into the heart of the defence following injury, while Johnny Rosson replaced Stephen Collier at right back. Marty Verner was added to Bangor's substantial injury list with Ryan Brown 2 taking his place up front.

The Welders came close to scoring after only 3 minutes, but Paul Dickson's fierce 25 yard drive flashed just wide of the post.

Bangor's first sight on goal arrived in the 15th minute when Dominic Melly tried his luck from 30 yards. James Thompson had to move across his goal quickly to push the ball over the crossbar to deny the Bangor midfielder a spectacular goal. Andy Forsythe took the resultant corner kick, and his cross caused havoc in the visiting defence with Stephen Munn's close range effort being scrambled clear off the goal line.

The Welders looked dangerous in attack and Colin Magill looked to be on course to score a certain goal in the 20th minute only to be denied by a superbly timed tackle from Johnny Rosson 10 yards from goal.

It was the home side that came close to breaking the deadlock minutes later when Andy Forsythe did well to swing in a low cross from the left flank. The ball was cleared only as far as James Bell who rifled a low shot inches wide of the post from the edge of the penalty area.

Bangor finished the half strongly with David Irvine heading a Melly freekick just over the bar after 34 minutes before forcing Thomspon into a low save from 18 yards moments later.

Half-time: 0 - 0

The Seasiders upped the tempo in the second half but it was the Welders who almost scored in the 49th minute when John Bailie denied Mark Graig before Ryan Brown 1 stood tall to beat away Colin Magill's follow up.

That was to prove a costly miss for the visitors as Bangor opened the scoring a minute later. David Irvine did well to gather the ball on the edge of the Welders' penalty area before laying the ball off to his midfield partner James Bell, who saw his fierce shot cannon off a defender and fly into the net past the stranded Thompson.

Andy Forsythe's fine play down the left flank went unrewarded as his low cross on the hour mark just evaded Dominic Melly at the back post.

Welders' 'keeper James Thompson had to be alert in the 67th minute as he threw himself to his left to claw away a David Irvine header following a Melly inswinging corner.

The impressive Ryan Brown 2 and Andy Forsythe swapped positions and Forsythe's more forward role almost paid off in the 70th minute when he found himself through on goal. Thompson was off his line quickly to block Forsythe's shot before getting to his feet to hold onto Andy Morrow's long range follow up.

Minutes later Forsythe's skill and determination inside the Welders' penalty area set up Brown 2, but his side footed effort rolled agonisingly wide of the upright.

Bangor finally doubled their lead in the 75th minute through Andy Morrow. It was Forsythe who caused problems for the Welders' defence as his sharp turn forced Reece Murray into a tackle which sent the ball into the path of Morrow. The Bangor captain made the most of his time and space as he made no mistake from 14 yards to slide the ball past the exposed Thompson.

The Welders made a double change and within minutes they had given themselves a lifeline when James McIllhagga won a penalty after a collision with Gilmore in the 84th minute. Defender Graham Aston stepped up and dispatched the ball into the bottom corner sending Ryan Brown 1 the wrong way in the process, but Bangor held firm to claim a vital 3 points.

Full-time: 2 - 1

Bangor: Brown 1, Rosson, Bailie, Munn, Bell, Gilmore, Melly, Irvine, Morrow, Brown 2, Forsythe.
Subs not used: Collier, Emerson, Rezai
Scorers: Bell ('50), Morrow ('75)

H&W Welders: Thompson, Wallace, Roy, Murray, Aston, McIllhagga, Johnston, Dickson, Craig, Magill (Mercer), Upton (Livingstone).
Sub not used: Hannah
Scorer: Aston ('84 pen.)