Colin McCurdy’s new look Bangor side started their league campaign in winning fashion thanks to a late strike from Andy Morrow. The Seasiders had taken the lead in the first half when Mark Stewart headed into his own net, but the home side were level minutes later after a fine move. The game seemed destined for a draw with Bangor missing a host of chances, only for Morrow’s late intervention.

Bangor started well and should have taken an early lead but Kris Hunter’s corner evaded Dunlop and was looped over the crossbar by Upton from close range.

Armagh didn’t learn from that warning as Hunter’s same corner kick routine saw the unfortunate Mark Stewart head the ball into his own net from close range in the 15th minute.

The lead only lasted four minutes as Bangor were caught out up field. A blistering move between McSorely and McGerrigan allowed the ball to be pulled back for Liam Cullen to slot home past stand-in Bangor keeper Jim McCurdy.
Bangor regrouped well after that set back with Morrow, Dunlop and Rosbotham all forcing Morgan into fine saves from distance.

On the stroke of half time, Alexander had a good chance for the home side, but his 18 yard volley was deflected just wide of the target.

Half-time 1- 1

A generous Armagh City defence almost gifted Bangor the lead just after the restart. A bad mistake by defenders and the goalkeeper left the net unguarded, but from 25 yards, Hunter could only send his shot wide.

Bangor were pressing hard for another goal but the home side almost scored an identical effort to their first, only for Dean Youle to be well positioned to get behind McSorely’s goal bound effort.

A series of substitutions midway through the half seemed to disrupt the home side’s rhythm while Bangor began to turn the screw in search of a winner. The introduction of Chris Boyd to the Bangor defence allowed Jim McMenamin to move into midfield and Andy Morrow to his more familiar forward role and that change almost paid off immediately as the Bangor skipper forced a fine save from Morgan.

Grant Dunlop saw his effort cleared off the line in the 70th minute while the hard-working Andy McIntyre headed wide and blazed over the crossbar when well placed.

With Andy Morrow sending another strike just wide in the 78th minute, time seemed to be running out for the Seasiders to grab the goal their efforts deserved.
That was until the 84th minute when McIntyre timed his run to beat the Armagh offside trap. The big forward did well to cross the ball where the home defence completely froze and teed up the ball for Morrow who made no mistake in drilling the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

The closing stages were relatively trouble free for Bangor, with Jim McCurdy a spectator in the Bangor goals. Sean Morgan was kept busier though, as he pulled off a fantastic save to deny a looping Jim McMenamin header.

Full-time 1-2

Bangor: McCurdy, Youle, Whiteside, McMenamin, Whitford, Hunter, Dunlop, Morrow, Rosbotham, Upton (’70 Boyd), McIntyre. Subs not used: Maxwell, Cairnduff.
Scorers: O.G (’15), Morrow (’84)
Booked: Upton, Youle

Armagh City: Morgan, Walker, McDonald, McBirney (’52 Moore), Stewart, Alexander, Cusack, Cullen (’65 McCann), Kerr (’60 Uprichard), McSorely, McGerrigan. Subs not used: McStravick, McGlone.
Scorer: Cullen (’18)
Booked: Kerr, Alexander, Cullen

Referee: Mr T Marshall.