CARRICK RANGERS 4-1 BANGOR (LADBROKES.COM CHAMPIONSHIP 1)

Taylor's Avenue, Saturday 12th September 2009
Match Report by Neil Watson 

Bangor’s defensive frailties were exposed for the second time in a week as Carrick Rangers made the Seasiders pay for some costly individual errors. A Darren McNamee header gave the home side the advantage at half time before Chris O’Hare doubled his side’s lead just after the restart. Bangor threatened a comeback when Glen Upton found the net, but any hope was short lived as Mark Craig restored the two goal lead before Kyle McDowell completed the rout.

A Bangor side clearly lacking in confidence, and missing the experience of Jim McMenamin and Mark Magennis, never really troubled Greg Shannon in the Carrick Rangers’ goal despite exerting some early pressure.

It was Ryan Murray who came close to opening the scoring in the 28th minute, but his spectacular overhead kick drifted just wide of Gareth Maguire’s left hand post.

Bangor’s best chance of the half came in the 35th minute when Glen Upton headed Andy Morrow’s cross against the post from 8 yards. The rebound bounced back to Upton, but the Bangor striker struggled to get the ball under control and the danger was cleared.
The home side took the lead in the 40th minute after Kyle McDowell’s attempted lob bounced off the crossbar. The ball was cleared to the left flank, only for Bowers to cross the ball for the unmarked McNamee to head the ball under the body of a sprawling Maguire.

Half-time: 1 – 0

Bangor’s attempts to get anything from the game were dealt a blow when Kris Hunter needlessly gave the ball away in midfield. The Seasiders were left badly exposed at the back, and matters only got worse as Chris Boyd completely missed his clearance leaving O’Hare to slam the ball past the helpless Maguire in the 54th minute.

The Bangor management looked to change things with the introduction of bustling forwards Andy McIntyre and debutant Robert Knox in place of Boyd and Hunter.

The more attacking formation seemed to be working as the home side were pegged back in their own penalty area and Glen Upton made the most of the chance that fell his way in the 69th minute to lift the ball past Shannon and into the net.

The home side were soon able to make the most of the gaps left in the Bangor defence as substitute Mark Craig slotted home from close range in the 78th minute.

Kyle McDowell added a fourth two minutes later as he raced through the Bangor midfield and defence unchallenged before coolly dinking the ball over Maguire.

Bangor had chances to pull a goal back, but Upton’s close range header was well saved by Shannon before Youle’s header bounced clear off the crossbar late on.

Full-time: 4-1

Bangor: Maguire, Youle, Whitford, Boyd (’55 McIntyre), Whiteside, Hunter (’60 Knox), Rosbotham, Carnduff, Mann, Morrow, Upton. Subs not used: McCurdy, Maxwell, Dunlop.
Scorer: Upton (’69)
Booked: Youle

Carrick Rangers: Shannon, M Prenter, Waterson (’90 ???), McNamee, Philson, P Prenter, Rooney (’75 Craig), Murray, O’Hare, McDowell, Bowers (’75 Ewart).
Scorers: McNamee (’40), O’Hare (’54), Craig (’78), McDowell (’80)
Booked: Murray