BANGOR 1-0 LISBURN DISTILLERY , JJB Sports Premiership.

Clandeboye Park, Saturday 4th October 2008
Match Report by Neil Watson 

Bangor made it three consecutive wins with a hard fought victory over high flying Lisburn Distillery. The game sprung into life in the second half, with Andrew Plummer saving his third penalty of the season. The impressive Bangor keeper made a string of other top drawer saves before Darren Lockhart headed his first goal for Bangor in the 81st minute to secure another vital three points for the Seasiders.

In soaking wet conditions, the first half was a damp squib with neither side offering much of an attacking threat.

Bangor thought they had taken the lead, however, in the 36th minute when Marty Verner sent a glancing header into the top corner from Andrew Cleary's left wing cross. The home side's celebrations were cut short though, as referee Trevor Moutray ruled the goal out for an offside decision against Verner.

Lisburn Distillery finished the half on the front foot, with Darren Armour shooting straight at Andrew Plummer when well placed.

Half-time: 0 - 0

The visitors started the second half like they ended the first, with Andrew Plummer in the right place to hold onto Johnny Magee's 6 yard shot after a goal mouth scramble in the 47th minute.

Moments later, the former-Ipswich 'keeper was off his line quickly to block Darren Armour's effort from 14 yards as the Distillery striker raced clean through on goal.

 At the other end of the picth, Philip Matthews made his first save of the match in the 53rd minute when he had to help Dominic Melly's curling 25 yard effort over the crossbar.

Distillery were awarded a penalty in the 56th minute when Andy Kilmartin was fouled by Dean Youle. Having argued with Darren Armour over who was to take the penalty, Gary Browne stepped up, but he saw his well struck effort superbly pushed away by Plummer, diving low to his left. That save was the second in as many games from the penalty spot and the third this season for the impressive Bangor 'keeper - rapidly becoming a hero amongst the Bangor support.

Bangor rode their luck on the hour mark when Gary Browne collected Darren Armour's through pass. The former Glentoran player shot for goal from 8 yards, only to see the immense Mark Gracey deflect the ball onto the post and wide.

The home side had a great chance to take the lead in the 67th minute when Pat McShane's poor pass fell to Marty Verner. The former Distillery striker struggled to get the ball under control, allowing Philip Matthews the chance to race from his line and block Verner's effort from 16 yards.

That chance and the penalty save seemed to drive Bangor on as they now believed they could get something from the game. The hard working Nathan McConnell almost found the breakthrough in the 70th minute, but having burst down the left wing and cut infield past a number of challenges, the striker saw his low shot well saved by Matthews at the foot of his near post.

Bangor, with a habit of scoring vital goals in the last ten minutes, found the winning goal in the 81st minute. Dominic Melly's inswinging corner picked out Darren Lockhart, and the former-Glentoran midfielder sent a downward header into the back of the net.

The Seasiders had to endure some tense final minutes with Curtis Allen dragging a shot across the face of goal, but the home defence, marshalled superbly by Mark Gracey and Gary Fitzpatrick, held firm to record their second clean sheet in successive matches.

Full-time: 1 - 0

Bangor: Plummer, Youle, Cleary, Gracey, Fitzpatrick, Hand ('65 McKee), Lockhart, Anderson, Melly, McConnell, Verner ('84 Irvine). Subs not used: Walsh, McDowell, J Tumelty

Scorer: Lockhart ('81)
Booked: Lockhart, McKee

L Distillery: Matthews, Hamilton, McShane, Magee, Bunchannon, Shaw ('82 Gawley), B Browne, McCann, Kilmartin (Kingsberry), Armour, G Browne ('70 Allen). Subs not used: Hill, Moore

Booked: Shaw, McCann

Referee: Mr T Moutray