BANGOR 2-2 KILMORE REC

Penalty kicks were the deciding factor in an evenly contested Steel and Sons Cup 4th round match, with Kilmore Rec. knocking out the holders after scoring four of their five spot kicks.

In a strong wind, both teams played some neat football and were guilty of missing important openings in front of goal.

Kilmore started brightly and grabbed the lead after 8 minutes thanks to former Bangor front man, Philip Rogan. A long free kick from just inside the Bangor half held up in the wind and deceived Massey. The ball fell to Rogan, who, from the left corner of the penalty area blasted the ball into the top right corner of the net.

With Bangor struggling to cope with the strong wind in their backs, incisive moves were countered by some tough tackling by the Kilmore team. Bangor’s first real opening was a Jim McCloskey header that drifted over the bar after a deep cross from John Kennedy.

It was again McCloskey who almost pulled a goal back in fortuitous fashion after 34 minutes. An attempted cross from midway in the Kilmore half was carried by the strong wind on to the Kilmore crossbar with the ‘keeper beaten.

This seemed to fire the Bangor team, and especially McCloskey, into action. 2 minutes later, McCloskey and Stephen Rogan were booked for an off the ball clash. A minute later, McCloskey rifled a goal bound shot from 30 yards which needed to be tipped over the bar by Watson. From the resultant corner, McStravick was booked for an apparent deliberate handball.

The robust Kilmore team and Philip Rogan in particular were a constant threat on the break, and it was Rogan who nearly doubled his tally when he tried to delicately chip the ball over the alert Brown from the edge of the 18-yard box, but the ‘keeper was equal to the danger.

At the other end of the pitch, Brian Russell was unlucky to see his header saved by a diving Watson after some good work by Morrow on the left. While on the stroke of half time, Watson was again called into action to claim a swirling McCloskey free kick under the crossbar.

Half Time: Bangor 0 – 1 Kilmore Rec.

Kilmore made one change at halftime, bringing on former Bangor player Noel Dean for Seamus McCartan in midfield.

Bangor almost drew level thanks to former Kilmore player Johnny Cheevers. Barry Holland shot low after 52 minutes before Cheevers deflected the ball goal-ward only to see the ball blocked on the line by a defender.

In a bid to get the equalising goal, Ryan Brown 2 replaced Massey as Bangor changed to a more attacking formation. Tempers threatened to boil over after a late tackle on Jackie Kerr by Kyle Rogan who was later replaced by Peter McKenna.
With Bangor pressing further and further forward, the dangerous Kilmore frontline made Bangor pay on the hour mark. A fantastic cross-field ball by Philip Rogan picked out Liam Mullan on the left wing. Mullan cracked the ball first time across the Bangor ‘keeper and into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Bangor bounced back immediately with Ryan Brown 2 almost scoring after a defence splitting pass from Morrow. The substitute’s shot was blocked from 5 yards by the on rushing ‘keeper who was quickly off his line.

However, 3 minutes later, Bangor had pulled a goal back after a superbly worked goal. The move started in the Bangor defence with Jackie Kerr interrupting a Kilmore attack. Kerr played the ball short to McStravick who set off on a mazy run into the Kilmore half. The centre-half played a delightful ball to McCloskey on the right wing who beat his marker and slipped a low ball to Andy Morrow on the edge of the six yard area. The Bangor captain turned his marker and stabbed the ball home past Watson to give Bangor a lifeline.

Sensing that they could find the equaliser, Bangor brought on John Douglas and David Officer for Brian Russell, who’d been booked for an off the ball challenge, and Barry Holland respectively.

Bangor should have been back on level terms when Andy Morrow was guilty of spurning a great opportunity. Morrow was played clean through by Kennedy before his shot from 8 yards was blocked by the ‘keeper’s outstretched leg.

Morrow redeemed himself on 79 minutes when he turned provider for John Douglas. The Bangor forward beat his marker on the right wing before crossing low across the face of the goal where Douglas tapped the ball home from 5 yards.

Bangor were now well in control of the game and should have scored again after 82 minutes. David Officer did well to beat his marker before slipping a low ball into the path of John Douglas. The Bangor substitute touched the ball round the goalkeeper, but blasted wide from a tight angle.

With Bangor pressing forward in search of a late winner, Kilmore almost dealt the ultimate sucker-punch. Stevie Rogan burst through on goal only to see his low shot blocked by the on-rushing Brown 1 before Clifford cleared the ball on the stoke of full time.

With the scores tied after 90 minutes, there was an additional two periods of 10 minutes extra time to be played in search of a winning team.

Kilmore began the extra time on top with Stevie Rogan guilty of failing to put Kilmore in the lead. The Kilmore captain broke the Bangor defensive line on the right side before shooting wide when well placed.

With play continually being broken up with niggling tackles, chances were few and far between. Johnny Cheevers and Peter McKenna were both booked while Jim McCloskey missed Bangor’s only real chance with a glancing header after good work by Brown 2.
Extra time drew to a close under contentious circumstances when Bangor were denied a penalty, despite vociferous appeals. McCloskey had gathered the ball inside the Kilmore penalty area before he was unceremoniously barged off the ball by a Kilmore defender as the referee waved play on.

Full Time: Bangor 2 –2 Kilmore Rec.

With both teams still locked together after extra time, Kilmore Rec. took the first penalty kick. Philip Rogan blasted the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net before Jim McCloskey rattled the inside of the left upright to give Kilmore the advantage. Stevie Rogan was next to take and he blasted wildly over the bar. Andy Morrow’s follow up penalty was saved by Watson diving to his left. Mullan and Bell scored for Kilmore while Douglas and Officer kept Bangor hanging on. McKenna had the chance to send Kilmore through to the next round, and the substitute calmly sent the Bangor ‘keeper the wrong way to spark wild celebrations.

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League Cup 1993


Jonny Magee


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