BANGOR 1-1 DOWNSHIRE YM

WKD INTERMEDIATE CUP, Clandeboye Park. Match Report by Neil Watson

Clandeboye Park, Saturday 2nd February 2008
Match Report by Neil Watson

Bangor needed penalties to overcome Amateur League 1B side Downshire YM at blustery Clandeboye Park. Having taken a first half lead through Andy Morrow, Bangor were made to pay for not converting chances as Danny Anderson levelled the scores after the inteveral. Neither side could conjure up a winner in extra time, but Ryan Brown was Bangor's hero as he superbly saved Ryan Cree's spot kick to give his side a 4-3 victory on penalties.

David Irvine almost opened the scoring after 9 minutes when he found himself with time and space following an Andy Morrow cross from the right. The midfielder composed himself but could only direct his 14 yard shot against the foot of the left hand post.

The Seasiders did take the lead in the 20 minute as Andy Morrow made the most of some poor defending to grab his 10th goal of the season. Johnny Rosson's high right wing cross caused confusion between defender and goalkeeper, allowing the ball to fall kindly for Morrow to hook the ball over his head and into the net from 8 yards.

Bangor struggled to exert total control of the game while playing into a strong wind. But despite not being at their best, Bangor created the clearer openings with Andy Forsythe heading wide after 38 minutes and Andy Morrow firing a shot over the crossbar moments before half-time.

Half-time: 1 - 0

Downshire got themselves back on level terms in the 55th minute when forward Danny Anderson gathered the loose ball inside the Bangor penalty area following a long freekick. The striker did well to fire the ball across goal and into the left corner of the goal past the despairing dive of Ryan Brown.

The home side looked to hit back immediately but David Irvine could only send his 10 yard headed effort wide when under pressure following a fine Morrow cross.

The visiting defence was frustrating the Bangor forwards, but as the Downshire team began to tire, goalkeeper Paul Fielding did his best to keep his side in contention with a series of fine stops. The first and arguably the best arrived in the 69th minute when the 'keeper managed to divert Andy Morrow's close range header over the crossbar with a fine instinctive save.

Bangor used their only fit substitute moments later as Dom Melly replaced James Bell. And it was Melly who created a chance for Irvine in the 83rd minute when the substitute did well to send in a dangerous cross. The ball was not properly cleared allowing Irvine to pounce and head the ball goalwards only for Fielding and a defender to block the ball on the line before clearing to safety.

A string of chances late on could have won the game for Bangor but Colin Beggs sent his header over the bar from a good postition before Andy Forsythe forced Fielding into another save from distance.

John Bailie almost found the winner in the 89th minute in spectacular fashion when his first time volley from 20 yards crashed off the crossbar as Bangor must have been questionning whether it was to be their day.

Deep into injury time, Andy Forsythe latched onto a fine through ball from Andy Morrow, but as the make-shift centre forward looked to round the on-rushing Fielding, the impressive goalkeeper used his outstretched leg to send the ball to safety.

Full-time: 1 - 1

Bangor continued to press forward as Ryan Brown was left as a spectator for long periods at the other end of the pitch. Colin Beggs was unfortunate to see his shot deflected agonisngly wide by a defender's shin, before Johnny Rosson fired a shot over the crossbar from 25 yards.

Midway through exta-time, Stephen Munn created space for himself on the edge of the penalty area following a Melly corner, but the defender's low shot was smoothered by Fielding diving to his left.

Bangor's best chance in extra time came after the sides switched ends when the unmarked Dom Melly headed Andy Morrow's cross into the side netting from close range as a goal looked certain.

As penalties loomed, Downshire hung on as Andy Morrow and Carl Rezai both went close for the home side.

AET: 1 - 1

Stephen Munn took Bangor's first penalty, but the defender dragged his shot wide of the post. Adam Patton confidently scored his sid'es first spot kick to give them the lead.

David Irvine was next up for Bangor and the midfielder made no mistake while Marty Chappell also scored his side's second penalty.

Andy Morrow kept his side in contention as he sent Fielding the wrong way before Johnny Gibson watched as his kick bounced clear off the crossbar.

Dom Melly scored Bangor's 4th penalty before Gareth Bingham kept the scores level.

Carl Rezai put the pressure on the Amateur League side as he converted Bangor's final penalty, allowing Ryan Brown the chance to dive full stretch to his left to keep out Ryan Cree's low shot and give Bangor a hard earned victory.

AET and Pens: 4 - 3

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

Scorer: Morrow ('20)

Booked: Irvine, Munn