DUNGANNON SWIFTS 0-2 BANGOR , JJB Sports Premiership.

Stangmore Park, Tuesday 30th September 2008
Match Report by Neil Watson 

Bangor claimed their second win in a row with an impressive display at a wet and miserable Stangmore Park. The Seasiders defended stoutly and laid the foundations for Gary Fitzpatrick to head home his second goal in as many games in the 80th minute. Moments later, substitute David Irvine scrambled the ball into the net to seal a well deserved victory.

It was the home side who made the early running and they were awarded a very soft penalty in the 11th minute when referee Keith Halliday stunned most people in the ground by penalising Dean Youle for a foul on Marc McCann. Bangor felt justice was done when Andrew Plummer threw himself to his right to superbly push away Rodney McAree’s effort.

Bangor had struggled to create many openings up front, but Dwayne Nelson had to be alert in the 22nd minute to block Glenn Hand’s 14 yard effort from a Marty Verner corner.

Nelson again came to his side’s rescue moments later when he had to tip Dominic Melly’s rasping 35 yard free kick round the base of the post.

Bangor were now beginning to find their feet in the game and force the home side onto the back foot, with Noel Anderson and Nathan McConnell both going close.

Marty Verner thought he had given his side the lead a minute before half time when he headed home a Darren Lockhart cross, but the goal was disallowed for an offside decision.

Half-time: 0 – 0

Timmy Adamson forced Andrew Plummer into a fine low save in the 51st minute after the former Linfield striker was allowed time and space to shoot from 25 yards.

Bangor had a great chance to open the scoring on the hour mark when Nathan McConnell’s excellent through ball picked out Marty Verner. The Bangor striker rounded Nelson, but from a narrowing angle, he could only send his shot across goal and wide of the target.

Dungannon Swifts found Andrew Plummer to be on top form when the ‘keeper superbly kept out Timmy Adamson’s back post header in the 66th minute.

The breakthrough arrived in the 80th minute when captain for the night Gary Fitzpatrick met Marty Verner’s out swinging corner to head the ball into the bottom right corner to score against his former team.

Andrew Plummer again made an excellent save in the 85th minute when he dived low to his left to push away Jamie Tomelty’s deflected 20 yard shot.

Bangor sealed the win in the 87th minute thanks to substitute David Irvine. Aaron McKee, another substitute - having replaced the injured Darren Lockhart, clipped the ball forward for Irvine to chase. The ball skidded off the surface and past the hopelessly exposed Dwayne Nelson, allowing Irvine the chance to stumble to the ground before hooking the ball into the net as the Bangor man lay on the corner of the 6 yard box.

Full-time: 0 – 2

Bangor: Plummer, Youle, Boyd (’53 Cleary), G Fitzpatrick, Gracey, Hand, Anderson, Lockhart (’51 McKee), Melly, McConnell, Verner. Subs not used: R Tumelty, McDowell

Scorers: Fitzpatrick (’80), Irvine (’87)

Dungannon S: Nelson, Mullan, Montgomery, McMinn, McCann (’69 McGerrigan), Hegarty, McAree (’35 T Fitzpatrick), Tomelty, Murphy, Adamson (’76 Baker), McAllister. Subs not used: Gallagher, McAliskey

Booked: McAllister, Montgomery

Referee: Mr K Halliday