BANGOR 2-2 CARRICK RANGERS (Ladbrokes.com Championship 1)

Crystal Park, Saturday 13th February 2010
Match Report by Neil Watson 

Bangor produced arguably their worst performance of the season as they crashed to a heavy defeat at the hands of Ballymoney United. Undefeated in their previous four games, the Seasiders found themselves two goals behind and a man down at half-time following Dean Youle’s dismissal. The visitors added to Bangor’s woes with a second half double before Andy Morrow grabbed a late consolation goal.

Ballymoney United had the lead after only 7 minutes when Gerard Gillan was on hand to lash home a corner from close range.
Bangor’s best chance of the half came in the 27th minute when Dean Youle wastefully blazed over the bar from 6 yards following a Rosbotham corner.

That miss proved costly when the visitors doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute as Gareth McLaughlin rose unmarked to head home Chris Wilkinson’s left wing cross.

Dom Melly had a half chance for the Seasiders in the 37th minute but the midfielder’s rising volley from 18 yards clipped the crossbar on its way behind.

The first half ended in controversy when referee Ian Hall showed Dean Youle a red card for an off the ball incident with Mark Gillan, who was shown a yellow card.

Half-time: 0 -2

Bangor manager Colin McCurdy replaced Andy Rosbotham and Glen Upton with Marc Whitford and Ryan McCurdy at the break but the changes made no difference as Ballymoney United extended their lead in the 49th minute.

Gerard Gillan raced past the static Bangor defence to pick up a long defensive clearance before sliding the ball past Paul Carnduff and into the net.

The visitors had total control and could have added to their total but for some poor finishing, most notably from McLaughlin and David Nicholl.

However, their fourth goal arrived in the 80th minute when Mark Gillan lobbed the ball over the advancing Carnduff. The towering keeper got a hand to the ball to keep it out, but the forward followed up to blast the ball low into the net.

Bangor’s consolation arrived from a corner after Dom Melly watched his 25 yard freekick being superbly pushed behind by Ryan Martin. The follow-up set-piece fell invitingly for Andy Morrow who hooked the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Full-time: 1 – 4

Bangor: Carnduff, Dunlop, Mann, Girvan, Youle, Kingsberry (’61 White), Scates, Melly, Rosbotham (’46 Whitford), Morrow, Upton (’46 McCurdy). Subs not used: Maguire, McIntyre
Scorer: Morrow (’87) Sent off: Youle
Booked: Girvan

Ballymoney Utd: Martin, Richie, Wilkinson, McQuitty, Hill, M Gillan (’91 McClelland), McLaughlin, F McKenna (’40 C McKenna), G Gillan, McLernon (’81 Keane), Nicholl.
Scorers: G Gillan (‘7, ’49), McLaughlin (’32), M Gillan (’80)
Booked: M Gillan, Hill

Referee: Mr I Hall