Bangor re-discovered their winning form after recent disappointing results with a comfortable 4-2 win over Moyola Park. 4 first half goals were enough for the Seasiders, despite a resilient fight back from the home team.

With only 3 minutes on the clock, Bangor created the first opening of the match. David Officer found himself in space on the left before rolling the ball through to Jim McCloskey but Ferguson was off his line quickly to block McCloskey’s 8-yard effort. Minutes later, and it was Ryan Brown who had to respond quickly to deny the Moyola threat. Gavin Burnside burst clear of the Bangor back line, but Brown smothered the shot well.

It was the lively Burnside who almost grabbed the opener after 10 minutes. The forward evaded the Bangor defence, but fortunately for the visitors, Burnside’s lob drifted just wide of the upright.

A minute later it was Bangor who got the first goal of the match. Andy Morrow collected a flick-on from McCloskey 20 yards from goal. The Bangor captain turned his marker before rifling his shot into the bottom right corner past Ferguson. Ferguson did well to deny Kenny Camlin a similar goal. Nicholl’s cross was only headed clear as far as Camlin on the edge of the box. The forward’s low shot was smartly pushed round the post by the Moyola ‘keeper to avert any danger.

Gavin Burnside was causing the Bangor defence real problems with his pace and it was Burnside who gifted Larkin a good chance to level the scores after 14 minutes. Burnside’s inch-perfect cross picked out Larkin in the penalty area, but Brown was equal to the header, saving low to his right.

2 minutes later and Moyola were made to pay for missing the earlier chance as Andy Morrow grabbed his and Bangor’s second goal of the game. Kenny Camlin did well to lay the ball off to Officer on the left wing. Officer’s first time cross was perfectly weighted for Morrow to place the ball low into the net past Ferguson. With 22 minutes played, Moyola reduced the deficit to 1 goal. A cross from the right flank picked out Lynn at the back post. Lynn headed across goal where Gavin Burnside scrambled the ball home from 8 yards.

Bangor bounced back immediately, restoring their 2 goal lead. Another Officer cross from the left was glanced on by Morrow towards the back post. Jim McCloskey ghosted in unmarked to head the ball home from 4 yards.

After 38 minutes, Kenny Camlin was unfortunate not to score from a well worked set piece. Camlin combined well with Morrow from 20 yards to turn and shoot, but the forward was denied his first goal for the club by the base of the right post.

Andy Morrow notched up his first half hat-trick after 40 minutes. A poor clearance from Ferguson was collected by Camlin 30 yards from goal. Camlin powered forward into the penalty area before shooting across goal. The forward’s shot fell kindly to Morrow who turned his marker and curled the ball just inside the right post.

Moyola started the second half well, and almost pulled a goal back after 54 minutes. A Trevor McClernon volley from 22 yards thumped off the crossbar before bouncing clear to Tully on the edge of the penalty area. Tully shot through a crowd of players, but a superb save from Ryan Brown denied Moyola their second goal.

Moyola continued to push forward, looking livelier than in the first half. With 68 minutes played, Moyola did pull a goal back. Ryan Brown blocked a shot at the feet of Chris Larkin but the rebound fell to substitute Warren Smith who slotted home from 18 yards.

Ryan Brown had to deny Gavin Burnside again in order to keep Bangor’s advantage. Burnside collected a good McLernon pass, but from 8 yards, the forward shot straight at the Bangor ‘keeper.

Bangor soaked up much of the Moyola threat and the Seasiders’ best chance fell to Jim McCloskey. The impressive Morrow fed McCloskey through on the right wing. McCloskey cut in field but his low cross was saved well by Ferguson with Russell closing in.

Bangor: Brown, Nicholl (Dunlop), Feeney, Massey, McStravick, Cheevers, McCloskey, Kerr, Morrow (Douglas), Camlin (Russell), Officer.

Scorers: Andy Morrow (’11, ’16 ’40), McCloskey (’25)

Moyola Park: Ferguson, Logan, Tully (McNicholl), Martin, Gordon, Maybin, Larkin, Gilligan (Smith), Lynn (Storey), Burnside, McLernon.

Scorers: Burnside (’22), Smith (’68)
Booked: Maybin

SITE FEATURES:


Zeke Rowe Goal


Apoel Nicosia


Trophy Tour 1993