BANBRIDGE TOWN 2-3 BANGOR (JJB SPORTS IRISH CUP)

Crystal Park, Saturday 12th December 2009
Match Report by Neil Watson 

Bangor progressed to the next round of the Irish Cup after an evenly contested tie with Banbridge Town. The Seasiders came from behind to claim victory, with goals from Andy Rosbotham and a double from debutant defender William McAllister.

The in-form home side almost took the lead after 5 minutes but Ricky Copeland’s header clipped the top of the crossbar.

A fine move involving Andy Rosbotham and Marc Whitford created a chance for the Bangor left back, but after a surging run into the Banbridge penalty area, Whitford saw his shot superbly pushed away by Wilton.

Wilton was again in action in the 28th minute as he dived to his left to push away a rasping Rosbotham free kick from distance.

Half-time: 0 – 0

After a dour first half, the game finally sprang into life in the 65th minute when Timmy Grant found himself in enough space in the Bangor penalty area to slot the ball past Maguire and into the bottom corner.

The Seasiders replaced Daud Machude with Robert Knox, and the substitute’s physical presence paid off almost immediately as he forced Whilton to flap at Scates’ free kick. The ball fell to Rosbotham on the edge of the box and he rifled a low shot through a crowd of bodies and into the net in the 74th minute.

Only two minutes later Bangor grabbed the lead when Glen Upton’s turn and shot from a Rosbotham corner was pushed away by Wilton. The ball looped up in the air and recent signing William McAllister was on hand to courageously head home from close range.

Timmy Grant threatened to level the scores in the 81st minute but his powerful shot was blocked by Maguire before his follow up cross drifted across goal with no-one on hand to apply the needed touch.

At the other end Knox and McIntyre both had chances to seal the game but it was McAllister who once again demonstrated his aerial prowess with a powerful header from a corner which was too strong for Whilton to keep out.

Bangor had to endure some tense closing moments after Whitla fired in an injury time goal for the home side, but the Seasiders had done enough to see themselves into the next round.

Full-time: 2 – 3

Bangor: Maguire, Mann, Whitford, Whiteside, McAllister, McIntyre, Rosbotham, Scates, Maxwell, Upton, Machude (’68 Knox)
Scorers: Rosbotham (’74), McAllister (’76, ’88)
Booked: Scates, Rosbotham

Banbridge Town: Whilton, Hall, Brady, Copeland, McBurney, McParland (’85 McAteer), Malone, Teggart (’60 Brown), Grant, Whitla, Walsh (’60 Donnelly). Subs not used: Robb, McCann
Scorers: Grant (’65), Whitla (90+1)
Booked: Grant, Brady

Referee: Mr I Hall