GLENAVON 0 - 1 BANGOR, JJB Sports Premiership.

Mourneview Park, Tuesday 26th August 2008
Match Report by Neil Watson 

The Seagulls were flying high at the summit of Irish League football after a resiliant performance and a hard-earned victory at Moruneview Park. A favourite hunting ground of Bangor's was to prove successful again as the Seasiders defended well throughout, allowing Marty Verner the chance to grab a dramatic win in the 85th minute sparking more wild celebrations from the travelling support.

The first half passed by fairly uneventfully with Glenavon controlling much of the play. Andrew Plummer made a fine save from a 25 yard Conor Walsh freekick in the 6th minute, and was called into action again on the half hour mark to save well from a Trevor Molloy volley from the angle of the penalty area.

While Glenavon pushed forward and had the majority of possession, the Bangor defence held firm and gave the home forwards many opportunities from close range. This frustrated the home side who changed their approach as a result. As Glenavon tried to stretch the Bangor side, any cross balls into the box were well dealt with by the commanding Plummer.

Bangor's only chance at goal arrived on the stroke of half-time when Nathan McConnell hooked the ball over the bar from close range after Dee Irvine flicked on Andy Cleary's long throw.

Half-time: 0 - 0

Glenavon goalkeeper Robert Robinson was forced to make his first save of the match moments after the restart when he got his fingtertips to Marty Verner's inswinging freekick to push the ball over the bar.

The second half began to mirror the first half with Glenavon starting to dominate. The home side had a glorious chance to open the scoring in the 55th minute but were denied by a superb Plummer save. Tony Grant did well down the left wing before squaring to the unmarked Willo McDonagh. With Molloy waiting to his right for a simple finish, McDonagh opted to shoot from 8 yards, but Plummer was off his line quickly to bravely block at the midfielder's feet.

Bangor were being forced deeper and deeper by the Glenavon forwards, but the visitors still held firm under the commanding watch of Andrew Plummer. On the one occasion when Plummer was beaten by a cross in the 70th minute, Andrew Cleary was on hand to head clear at the backpost with Trevor Molloy ready to pounce.

That save, and the earlier introduction of Andy Morrow followed by Darren Lockhart and Ryan Tumelty, seemed to give Bangor the belief that they could press on for a winner. In the 75th minute, the impressive Nigel Boyd got forward well and sent in a dangerous ball across goal which just evaded the sliding Verner.

Moments later, it was Verner again in the thick of the action as the former-Glenavon player hooked the loose ball over the crossbar after Dom Melly's corner hadn't been cleared by the home defence.

At the other end of the pitch, Bangor hearts were in their mouths when Conor Walsh's 25 yard drive took a wicked deflection off Nigel Boyd's head. With Andrew Plummer already committed, the ball looped up just over the crossbar and behind for a corner.

The goal which maintained Bangor's 100% record in the league arrived in the 85th minute. Noel Anderson picked up the loose ball 30 yards from goal before dashing past a number of tackles and into the Glenavon penalty area. Just before the hard-working midfielder could fire in a shot, a defender diverted the ball across goal where Marty Verner poked the ball home from close range.

It was a nervy final few minutes for the Seasiders, but as the rest of the match had panned out, when Glenavon got into a dangerous position the final ball was badly lacking in quality and Bangor held out for another memorable win.

Full-time: 0 - 1

Bangor: Plummer, Cleary, Boyd, Anderson, McMenamin, Gracey, Hand (' 72 R Tumelty), Irvine ('72 Lockhart), McConnell ('57 Morrow), Verner, Melly. Subs not used: Youle, Fitzpatrick

Scorer: Verner ('85) Booked: Melly

Glenavon: Robinson, Hudson, Carville, Dickson, Magee, Harper ('56 Murray), McDonagh, Walsh, Grant, Molloy ('76 Liggett), McCann ('56 Turkington). Subs not used: Scates, ???

Booked: Dickson

Referee: Mr A Hunter