BANGOR 2-2 INSTITUTE , JJB Sports Premiership.

Clandeboye Park, Saturday 10th January 2009
Match Report by Neil Watson 

An Andy Morrow double in second half injury time pulled Bangor back from the brink to claim a valuable point against Institute. For the second time this season, Institute looked to have sealed the points when Eamon Seydak and Sean Roddy gave their side a comfortable lead late in the game. But, like the opening day of the season, Bangor made the visitors pay when Andy Morrow twice scrambled home Mark Magennis freekicks to cap a remarkable three minute comeback.

Bangor were dealt a blow in the warmup when midfielder Darren Lockhart picked up an injury ruling him out of the match. With Noel Anderson and Dom Melly flu victims, Glenn Hand stepped in on the right wing while Aaron McKee moved into the middle to partner Dee Irvine with Mark Magennis completing the midfield quartet.

In a first half of little quality, largely due to the gale force conditions, neither side created many opportunities. Marty Verner came the closest to giving Bangor the lead in the 9th minute but his inswinging freekick was just missed by McMenamin and the ball bounced clear off the post.

At the other end of the pitch, Andrew Plummer had to get down quickly to hold onto Paul Brown's dipping 25 yard freekick in the 13th minute before Keving Ramsey forced the teenage stopper into another smart save low to his left in the 20th minute.

Half-time: 0 - 0

The second half continued in the same vein as the first half with chances at a premium.

Institute 'keeper Michael Doherty was forced into his first save of the match in the 68th minute when he spectacularly pushed away a stinging Aaron McKee 20 yard drive that was destined for the top corner.

Andrew Plummer made a fine double save to keep the scores level in the 73rd minute when he first blocked Declan Divin's low shot before acrobatically tipping Roddy's blistering followup over the crossbar.

The game sparked in to life minutes later when Eamon Seydak found himself in space down the left wing. The fullback sent a looping cross into the Bangor penalty area where Andrew Plummer let the ball slip from his grasp. Despite Mark Gracey's best efforts on the goal-line, the eagle eyed linesman was well positioned to judge that the ball had crossed the line and awarded the goal.

Marty Quinn turned to his bench in search of finding a way back into the game with Paul McDowell, Nathan McConnell and Ryan Tumelty replacing Andrew Cleary, Marty Verner and Glenn Hand respectively.

Only a minute after the changes, all seemed lost for the Seasiders when Sean Roddy scored his team's second goal of the game. The towering midfielder superbly robbed Tumelty of possession before firing a low 35 yard drive into the bottom corner of the net past the despairing dive of Plummer.

Michael Doherty kept Bangor out in the 84th minute when the visiting keeper did well to parry Ryan Tumelty's low volley in a crowded penalty area at the foot of his post.

With the game entering injury time, referee Mark Courtney awarded Bangor a freekick on the right touchline. Mark Magennis whipped the ball into the box where Andy Morrow glanced the ball towards goal and under the body of Doherty to give Bangor what looked like a consolation goal.

In the final minute of the additional three, Bangor were again awarded a freekick in a similar position to the first. Mark Magennis, completing his first match for Bangor, whipped in another head high freekick which Doherty couldn't deal with. Nathan McConnell forced the ball back across the packed goalmouth, which included every Bangor player bar Dean Youle, where Andy Morrow was on hand to poke the ball over the line to spark wild celebrations around the ground.

With the Bangor players still delirious, the quick thinking Paul Brown almost restored Institute's lead. Straight from the kickoff the bustling forward shot for goal forcing Plummer to push the ball over his crossbar. Institute sensed they could score from the corner but Bangor's man of the moment Andy Morrow was on hand to clear the danger as Mark Courtney brought the game to its close.

Full-time: 2 - 2

Bangor: Plummer, Youle, Cleary ('75 McDowell), McMenamin, Gracey, Hand ('82 R Tumelty), Magennis, McKee, Irvine, Morrow, Verner ('82 McConnell). Subs not used: Boyd, Melly.

Scorer: Morrow (90, 90+3) Booked: Verner

Institute: Doherty, Boyle, Seydak, McLaughlin, Scoltock, Roddy, Devin, Lowry ('69 O'Loughlin), Quigley, Ramsey ('82 Mooney), Brown. Subs not used: Harkin, Ryan

Scorers: Seydak ('74), Roddy ('83) Booked: Roddy

Referee: Mr M Courtney