CRUSADERS 5-1 BANGOR (JJB SPORTS IRISH CUP)

Seaview, Saturday 16th January 2010
Match Report by Neil Watson 

The gap in quality between Crusaders and Bangor was evident at Seaview as the cup holders brushed aside Bangor’s challenge. Two goals inside the first five minutes made it an uphill task for the Seasiders, with a third added before half time. Bangor had one moment to shout about though when Andrew Rosbotham thundered in a free kick to remember in the second half, but it was to be Crusaders’ day as they finished off the rout late on.

The impressive Martin Donnelly got his side on the way in the third minute as he jinked past Ryan Mann and crossed for the towering Jordan Owens to head home from close range.

Donnelly was again in the thick of the action as he curled home a freekick from 20 yards with Maguire left helpless in the Bangor goal.
Things could have got worse for the Championship side in the 21st minute but Donnelly’s cross-cum-shot bounced off the foot of the post before a relieved Maguire could smoother the danger.

A long Gareth McKeown throw in just after the half hour mark led to Crusaders’ third goal as Donnelly pounced on a flick on to tap home.

Bangor’s only real chance of the first half arrived in the 35th minute when Robert Knox sent a header over the target after a Ryan Mann cross.

Half-time: 3 – 0

Knox had a fantastic opportunity to grab himself a goal in the 51st minute but after doing well to make himself space, the forward dragged his shot wide of the target when well placed.

That miss proved costly as the home side when straight up the pitch to extend their lead as Mark Dickson finished off a Donnelly cut back.

Andrew Rosbotham had a moment to remember in the 70th minute when he fired an unstoppable free kick from fully 35 yards into the roof of the net past the despairing dive of Keenan. A truly remarkable strike.

Moments later substitute Daud Machude combined well with Marc Whitford down the left flank. Whitford drilled in an inviting cross which just evaded Garth Scates who looked certain to score.

At the other end of the pitch, Crusaders substitute Ross Arthurs rounded off the scoring as he capitalised on indecisiveness from Maguire to slam into the net in the 78th minute.

Full-time: 5 – 1
Bangor: Maguire, Mann, Whitford, Whiteside, Girvan, Maxwell (’61 Mudd), Scates, White (Upton ’80), Rosbotham, Knox (’61 Machude), Morrow. Subs not used: Dunlop, McIntyre
Scorer: Rosbotham (’70)
Booked: Whiteside, Knox

Crusaders: Keenan, McKeown, Bell, Coates (’66 Gibson), Magowan, McMaster, Collins (’66 Caddell), Doherty, Donnelly, Owens, Dickson (’66 Arthurs). Subs not used: Faulkner, Murphy
Scorers: Owens (‘3), Donnelly (‘5, ’31), Dickson (’53) Arthurs (’78)

Referee: Mr K Halliday