BALLYMONEY UNITED 0 - 4 BANGOR

Bangor got off to the perfect start in 2006 with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Ballymoney United, moving them up to third in the league table.

But in the opening stages of the match, Ballymoney tested the Bangor rearguard. Both Hogg and McLaughlin came close in the opening 20 minutes, with Ryan Brown in the Bangor goal saving smartly from Hogg.

Andy Morrow had the away side’s first real chance. The Bangor captain turned his marker well on the edge of the penalty area but his low shot was gathered at the second attempt by Smith in the Ballymoney goal.

The deadlock was finally broken on the half-hour mark. The impressive Morrow broke free down the right wing. Morrow slid the ball across the goal where the on-rushing Lee Feeney stretched to tap the ball home past the despairing ‘keeper.

Bangor lost Kenneth Camlin through injury and Grant Dunlop replaced him on the left wing, 5 minutes before half-time. Dunlop had an immediate impact, creating Bangor’s second goal. A long cross-field ball from Clifford found Dunlop. The lanky midfielder left his marker for dead with some quick-footed skill before whipping a low cross to the near post where Jackie Kerr tapped home.

Half-time: 0 – 2

Lee Feeney wasted a good chance to double his tally when, after beating a defender on the edge of the penalty area, he wastefully blasted over the bar. 10 minutes later and it was Andy Morrow’s turn to miss in a carbon copy of Feeney’s chance.

A smart save from Smith denied Johnny Cheevers a goal after the substitute had been set-up by a good cross from Larmour.

This period of Bangor pressure almost led to Grant Dunlop adding to the score after 75 minutes. Jackie Kerr collected a pass down the right flank from Morrow before drilling the ball across goal. Dunlop’s touch at the back-post sent the ball agonisingly wide of the upright with the ‘keeper beaten.

Ballymoney showed their threat upfront with Millen shooting from 25 yards after 80 minutes. Brown was equal to the shot as he dived low to his right to gather the ball well.

Bangor finally got their third goal with 5 minutes remaining. The hard-working Morrow broke down the right wing to the by-line before he coolly rolled the ball back to the penalty spot where Lee Feeney slotted home past the substitute ‘keeper.

The final attack of the game led to Bangor’s fourth and best goal of the afternoon. A long ball up field from Johnny Cheevers found Morrow on the right. His first time volleyed pass picked out Feeney free 25 yards from goal. Feeney advanced towards the Ballymoney keeper who did well to block Feeney’s initial shot. The rebound was collected by Dunlop who skilfully back heeled the ball to Feeney, allowing the forward to complete his hat trick.

Full-time: 0 – 4

Bangor: Brown, Clifford (Russell), Larmour, Massey, McStravick, C Feeney, Douglas (Cheevers), Kerr, Morrow, Feeney, Camlin (Dunlop).

Scorers: Feeney (’30, ’85, ’89), Kerr (’40)

Ballymoney Utd: Smith (McHugh), Gilmore, Carson (JP Henry), Hill, G Kearney, Collins, Millen, L Kearney, McCaughey, Hogg. Sub Not Used: Byrne.

Booked: G Kearney.

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