BALLYCLARE COMRADES 1-0 BANGOR , Carnegie First Division

Dixon Park, Saturday 1st March 2008
Match Report by Neil Watson 

Adam Dick's first half freekick was all that separated the two sides at a blustery Dixon Park as Ballyclare leapfrogged Bangor into second place as the race for the 1st Division title continues to hot up. In a game of few clear cut chances, the on-loan Dick's freekick was enough to give a well organised Ballyclare side all 3 points as Bangor were kept at bay by a solid defence and an inspired goalkeeper.

Bangor, without the suspended Craig Gilmore and unavailable Marty Verner, welcomed Stephen Munn back into defence and continued with Tony Smith in attack. But it was the home side who had the first chance after 3 minutes when Darren McKay's opportunist shot from 16 yards was gathered by Ryan Brown at the second attempt.

Neither side was to exert total control with the game becoming scrappy and play being interrupted with niggling fouls.

Bangor created a half chance for Andy Morrow on the half hour mark. Some patient play acorss the defence allowed Carl Rezai to move forward and combine with Dominic Melly. The right winger sent a cross into the penalty area where Tony Smith laid the ball off for Morrow who saw his left footed shot from 16 yards saved low to Mannus' right hand side.

The only goal of the game arrived in the 39th minute when the Comrades were awarded a freekick just outside the Bangor penalty area after a David Irvine foul. Adam Dick, on loan from Linfield, sent the ball curling over the ball and dipping into the bottom corner past the diving Brown to give his side the lead.

Tony Smith had Bangor's clearest opening of the half a minute later when a sliced clearance fell kindly for the diminutive striker. As the ball looped over his marker, Smith sent a first time volley agonisingly wide of the
post from 16 yards.

Half-time: 1 - 0

Bangor felt they had a shout for a two penalties in quick succession in the 64th minute. A goalmouth scramble led to what appeared to be a handball by a defender in the 6-yard box before Andy Morrow was hauled to the ground by Evan Forsythe. Despite the strong Bangor appeals, referee Michael McLaughlin waved played on.

The impressive Michael Smith had a good opportunity to double his side's advantage when the right back found himself inside the Bangor penalty area after a strong run forward. The defender's first time shot was well beaten away by Brown before Smith could only direct his follow up effort into the side netting from a tight angle.

While Bangor pressed forward in search of an equaliser, the home side always looked dangerous on the counter attack, and one such move in the 80th minute saw Adam Dick strike the ball across goal and against the post as Bangor struggled to cope with the number of Ballyclare players looking to get forward.

Bangor finished the game on top, but anything the visitors threw at goal was well dealt with by Ian Mannus.

In the 87th minute, David Irvine sent a header towards goal as he rose to meet Andy Forsythe's freekick, but Mannus was able to fall away to his right and gather the ball.

A minute later, Grant Gardiner, having replaced James Bell to make his Bangor debut, sent a cross into the Ballyclare penalty area where Andy Forsythe powered a header towards goal which was well pushed away by Mannus, diving to his right.

With a minute of stoppage time played, substitute Colin Beggs tried his luck from 25 yards, but again, Mannus was equal to the effort as he dived to his left to push the defender's rasping effort round the post. The home defence held firm to clear the corner to signal the end of a hard-fought match.

Full-time: 1 - 0

Bangor: Brown 1, Rezai, Bailie (Beggs ' 78), Munn, J Bell (Gardiner ' 78), Harbinson, Melly, Irivne, A Morrow, T Smith (Brown 2 '60), A Forsythe. Subs not used: D Morrow, Collier.

Booked: Rezai, Munn, Brown 2

Ballyclare Com: Mannus, M Smith, G Bell, McClean, Caldwell, Loughran, E Forsythe, McRoberts, Dick, McKay (McGrath ' 89), Agnew. Subs not used: Simms, Mullholland, Patterson

Scorer: Dick ('39)
Booked: E Forsythe, G Bell

Referee: Mr M. McLaughlin