BANGOR 4-2 NEWRY CITY, JJB Sports Premiership.

Clandeboye Park, Saturday 20th December 2008
Match Report by Neil Watson 

Bangor twice came from behind to claim a nail-biting victory which sees them climb to 5th place in the league table. Richard Clarke had twice given his side the lead from the penatly spot and from a 20 yard volley after Jim McMenamin had levelled the scores. Dom Melly capped a superb move with a goal moments before half time while Andy Morrow gave his side the lead with a sublime finish midway through the second half. Marty Verner made the game safe on the stroke of full time as he rounded the keeper to slot home.

The visitors got off to the best possible start when they were awarded a penalty in the 6th minute after referee Colin Burns pointed to the spot following a McMenamin push on Garrett. Richard Clarke made no mistake as he slammed the ball into the bottom corner past the outstretched Plummer.

Things could have been much worse for Bangor moments later, but this time the referee waved play on as Garrett seemed to be brought down inside the box by Plummer.

Bangor made their period of pressure count after 15 minutes. A series of corners caused all sorts of problems for the Newry defence and from one Melly corner, the unmarked Jim McMenamin drilled his shot home to open his account for the Seasiders.

Paul Murphy in the visiting goal was the Newry hero in the 24th minute when he produced a fine block to deny Marty Verner from point blank range following a Cleary freekick.

That miss was costly for Bangor minutes later when a Shaun Friars corner was only cleared as far as Richard Clarke who made no mistake when lashing a first time volley into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

The game was end to end stuff and in the 32nd minute, only some committed defending denied Bangor a goal while Shaun Friars headed straight at Plummer from a quick counter-attack.

Bangor produced the best move of the match which led to a fine goal in the 42nd. The Seasiders kept the ball well and moved it at pace, eventually finding Mark Gracey on the left wing. His pass inside found Verner who neatly laid the ball off to Melly who took a touch before opening his body and expertly bending the ball past the helpless Murphy.

In first half stoppage time, Chris Morgan was guilty of wasting a great chance for his side when he pulled his shot wide of the target with only Plummer to beat.

Half-time: 2 - 2

The home side began the second half on top, and only a fine diving save from Murphy denied Andy Morrow a goal in the 48th minute.

Noel Anderson almost produced the goal of the season in the 56th minute when he picked the ball up on the half way line. The hard-working midfielder set off on a mazy run which took him past five Newry challenges, but as he bore down on goal, one last saving tackle cleared the danger.

The lively Shaun Friars had a good chance to give his side the lead a minute later, but he could only send his shot wide of the target after a fine pass from Michael Collins.

At the other end of the pitch, Andy Morrow did well to time his run to perfection to beat the offside trap. Cutting in from the left wing, the Bangor captain side stepped Collins' challenge before sending a brilliant curling effort into the far corner of the net past Murphy. A superb finish.

That goal spurred Newry into action and forced Bangor onto the back foot. In the 64th minute only a top-drawer save from Andrew Plummer kept out Stephen Garrett's point blank effort when a goal seemed certain.

Shaun Friars was causing all sorts of problems for the home defence and his overhit cross had to be well tipped over the bar by Plummer in the 75th minute. Friars' resultant corner was badly missed by Plummer, but thankfully for him, McMenamin was on hand to hook the ball clear off the line.

Moments later Friars sent a left wing cross to the back post where Morgan was waiting only for the superb Mark Gracey to somehow clear the ball from under the crossbar.

Having weathered the Newry storm, Bangor began to try and pick off their opponents on the counter attack. Marty Verner almost sealed the game in the 85th minute but his shot from a tight angle flew just wide of the upright.

But in the 90th minute, Verner made the game safe with his 7th goal of the season. The striker found himself clean through on goal having beaten the offside trap to reach the impressive Irvine's through ball, and he made no mistake as he rounded Murphy and slid the ball in to the empty net.

Full-time: 4 - 2

Bangor: Plummer, Youle, Cleary, McMenamin, Gracey, Anderson, Irvine, Lockhart, Melly, Morrow, Verner. Subs not used: McKee, McDowell, Hand, Boyd, McConnell. Scorers: McMenamin ('18), Melly ('42), Morrow ('62), Verner ('90) Booked: Lockhart, Melly

Newry City: Murphy, Ferguson, Black ('66 Walsh), Donegan, E Friars, Collins, Clarke, Keegan, Friars, Morgan, Garrett.Subs not used: King, Curran, A.N.Other, A.N, Other. Scorers: Clarke ('6 pen., '27) Booked: Ferguson

Referee: Mr C. Burns