BANGOR 0 - 1 LOUGHGALL

CARNEGIE LEAGUE CUP FINAL  - Mourneview Park, Lurgan

Tuesday 4th December 2007

Match Report by Neil Watson

A first half strike from Loughgall's Dean Smith was all that seperated the sides at a blustery Mourneview Park as the Villagers secured their first silverware of the season. Smith's classy chip in the 27th minute came against the run of play as Bangor dominated proceedings but struggled to take their hatful of glorious chances.

Bangor began brightly with Andy Morrow bringing an early save out of Marc Robinson after only 2 minutes. Andy Forsythe combined well with Glenn Hand to set up the Bangor captain, but his turn and shot from 12 yards lacked enough power to stretch Robinson.

Loughgall's first sight on goal arrived in the 9th minute when the ball broke kindly for Willie Herron, but the midfielder fired his effort from 18 yards high over the crossbar.

On-loan BJ McMenamin, making his debut for Bangor, was gifted a great opening in the 12th minute when Alan Murphy failed to deal with a high ball. The pacey winger, playing in a make-shift forward role, raced through on goal, but Marc Robinson stood firm to block McMenamin's 16 yard volley.

Bangor continued to press Loughgall onto the back foot and some intricate play down the right wing created another chance for McMenamin in the 22nd minute. A neat backheel from Andy Morrow released Glenn Hand down the right, allowing the winger to pick out the unmarked McMenamin on the penalty spot. The young debutant hit a first time volley which flew just wide of the left hand post with Robinson beaten.

Loughgall were to make Bangor pay for those missed chances 5 minutes later. Luckas Adamcyzk saw his shot blocked by a defender before the ball fell kindly to Dean Smith just inside the right corner of the Bangor penalty area. With time and space, the former Coagh forward skillfully clipped the ball over Ryan Brown 1 and into the top left corner of the net.

The goal lifted Loughgall who began to press forward, but it was again Bangor who created the best opening in the 39th minute. Stephen Collier got himself into a forward position before sending in a perfect cross towards Andy Forsythe. The Bangor winger advanced to meet the ball, but from 6 yards out, Forsythe somehow sent his header wide of the goal.

It was Loughgall who finished the half on top and could have extended their lead in the 41st minute, but Ryan Moffett wastefully blazed his 16 yard shot over the crossbar after good play from Adamcyzk.

Half time: 0 - 1

Bangor continued to create chances after the break, and Andy Morrow would have levelled the scores in the 55th minute but for an excellent save from Marc Robinson. Collecting Forsythe's square ball 20 yards from goal, Morrow sent a curling effort towards the top corner only for the Loughgall 'keeper to stretch to his left to tip the ball round the post.

A minute later and Morrow again brought the best out of Robinson when his low 20 yard shot was well gathered by the 'keeper.

The Seasiders must have felt it wasn't going to be their night in the 65th minute when, following a dangerous cross from Forsythe, Glenn Hand could only divert his close range header off target while under pressure from Alderdice.

Loughgall were still posing a threat in attack and served Bangor a reminder of this in the 69th minute when Stephen Collier had to divert Neil Alderdice's inviting cross behind for a corner with Dean Smith ready to pounce.

Having replaced John Bailie in the heart of the Bangor midfield, Dominic Melly was next to test Marc Robinson in the 71st minute. Again, the 'keeper was equal to Melly's rasping 30 yard freekick as he rose to tip the ball over the crossbar. Melly's resultant corner kick fell to Glenn Hand on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot flew agonisingly wide of the post.

Paul Harbinson was the next Bangor player to come close to scoring in the 80th minute. The former-Loughgall favourite rose to meet an in-swinging Melly corner, but his glancing header bounced just wide of the post.

The Villagers had a good chance to seal the game in the 86th minute but Ryan Brown 1 did well to push Ryan Moffet's 25-yard freekick over the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Andy Forsythe had to be positioned well at the near post to hack clear Adamcyzk's goal bound effort.

At the other end of the pitch, Bangor's miserable night was to be compounded when substitute Ryan Brown 2 did well to bravely head home Andy Morrow's cross. But, to Bangor's dismay, referee Ross Dunlop ruled the effort out for offside.

This left Loughgall 2 minutes to play out before the final whistle sounded to give former-Bangor hero Niall Currie his first taste of cup success as a manager.

Full-time: 0 - 1

Bangor: R Brown 1, Collier (R Brown 2), Beggs, Bailie (Melly), Emerson, Harbinson, Hand, Irvine, Morrow, McMenamin, Forsythe. Subs not used: Bell, M Brown, Rezai.

Booked: Collier, Beggs, McMenamin, Irvine

Loughgall: M Robinson, Waddell, Alderdice, Peden, Murphy, Herron (A Smith), Moffett, Adair, Adamcyzk, Lavery (A Brown), D Smith. Subs not used: Fitzpatrick, N Robinson, Pentland.

Scorer: D Smith ('27)
Booked: Murphy, A Smith, D Smith

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