BANBRIDGE TOWN 2-6 BANGOR (Ladbrokes.com Championship 1)

Crystal Park, Saturday 6th February 2010
Match Report by Neil Watson 

Bangor made it three wins out of three against Banbridge Town this season with a resounding victory at Crystal Park. Having fallen behind to an early Grant penalty, Bangor got themselves in front through Rosbotham and Melly before the home side restored parity. Garth Scates gave his side the lead before the break and Bangor hit top gear in the second half with a double from Morrow and another from Melly completing an impressive rout for the Seasiders.

The hosts took the lead in the 11th minute when Timmy Grant smashed home a penalty following a rash Jim Girvan challenge just inside the penalty area.

Bangor fought hard to get back in the game, and they got their reward in the 24th minute in spectacular style from Andy Rosbotham’s left boot. Like his goal against Crusaders, the winger lined up a free kick from fully 30-yards and left the goalkeeper grasping at thin air as the ball fizzed into the top corner.

Garth Scates almost scored from 25 yards moments later, but his snap shot was superbly tipped round the post by the stretched Wilton.
The Seasiders didn’t have long to wait for the lead as the influential Rosbotham crossed for Melly to sent a looping header into the net in the 28th minute.

Both sides had chances in an open first half to continue the scoring but Daud Machude headed over before Grant’s dipping shot from distance clipped the crossbar at the other end.

Bangor suffered a double blow in the 40th minute when Whitla did well to hold off Whiteside before crossing for Dale Malone to tap home from close range. That was to be Whiteside’s last action in the game as he limped off with an ankle injury to be replaced by Ryan Mann.
With time running out on an entertaining first half, Bangor retook the lead following good persistence from the industrious Colin White. The ball broke to Rosbotham who swung in a cross which Wilton could only punch as far as Scates on the edge of the penalty area. The former-Linfield midfielder sent a first time volley back over the ‘keeper’s head and into the net.

Half-time: 2 – 3

Bangor began the second half at a blistering pace and had extended their lead within minutes of the restart. Grant Dunlop, filling in admirably at centre-half, played a defence splitting pass through to Andy Morrow who made no mistake as he fired past Wilton.
The Seasiders, now in total control and playing some fantastic football, could have added to their tally through Morrow and Machude but the fifth goal did arrive in the 63rd minute.

Andy Rosbotham drilled a low cross into the danger area where the unmarked Morrow made no mistake in slotting the ball past the helpless Wilton.

Dom Melly grabbed his second of the game in the 68th minute when he cut in from the right wing and fired a low shot with his left foot into the far corner of the net.

Bangor replaced Andy Morrow with Glen Upton, and the substitute should have had a hat-trick within minutes of coming on. The usually clinical finisher was first denied by Wilton after racing clear of the defence before skewing two similar efforts wide of the target when well placed.

With time running out, the impressive Melly almost grabbed his hat-trick only to be denied by the crossbar before Upton put the follow-up wide of the target.

Full-time: 2 – 6

Bangor: Maguire, Dunlop, Whitford, Whiteside (‘Mann 43), Girvan, Melly, Scates, White, Rosbotham, Morrow (65 ‘Upton), Machude (’75 McIntyre). Subs not used: Knox, Maxwell
Scorers: Rosbotham (’24), Melly (’28, ’68), Scates (’45), Morrow (’48, ’64)