BANGOR 2-1 BALLYCLARE COMRADES (LADBROKES.COM CHAMPIONSHIP 1)

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

Two Andy McIntyre goals inside a second half minute gave Bangor all three points at Clandeboye Park. In a dull affair with few chances, Ballyclare Comrades took the lead early in the second half. Bangor huffed and puffed but did not look like scoring until substitute McIntyre intervened with his quick fire brace.

Both sides cancelled each other out in a drab first half with the only incident of note being Andy Morrow limping off after 10 minutes to be replaced by Andy McIntyre.

The deadlock was broken in the 49th minute when some patient Ballyclare build up play created a chance for Mark McClelland who turned his marker in the penalty area before rifling an unstoppable shot across goal and into the top corner.

Visiting captain Andy Long was in the right place in the 56th minute to head a McIntyre effort off the goal line, but there was nothing he could do to prevent the Bangor striker equalising in the 81st minute.

Garth Scates did well to round a defender before forcing a smart block from Huxley in the visiting goal. The rebound fell kindly to Scates who clipped the ball to the back post where the unmarked McIntyre powered a header into the roof of the net from close range.

The most unexpected turn around was complete some thirty seconds later when Mark Magennis’ pass evaded Devine and from 18 yards, McIntyre kept his composure to calmly lift the ball over the onrushing Huxley and into the back of the net.

Bangor endured some tense final moments but held on to claim all the points which neither team deserved.

Full-time: 2 – 1

Bangor: McCurdy, Mann, Youle, Whiteside, Whitford, Maxwell, Dunlop, Scates, Rosbotham (’60 Magennis), Morrow (’10 McIntyre), Upton. Subs not used: Maguire, Boyd, Knox
Scorer: McIntyre (’81, ’82)
Booked: Mann, Youle, Dunlop, Upton, Magennis

Ballyclare Comrades: Huxley, Drysdale, Long, Devine, McWilliams (’84 Moore), Irvine, Galbraith, Magowan, Officer, McClelland (’90 Crawford), Burns. Subs not used: Simms, Munster, Gowdy
Scorer: McClelland (’49)

Referee: Mr S Creaney