CRUSADERS 3-1 BANGOR

Bangor began their league campaign on Friday night against a robust and classy Crusaders side at Seaview. Crusaders made their dominance tell in the second half, scoring 3 goals in reply to Bangor’s opener.

The first half began with both sides tackling hard in midfield. The first chance of the match came after 6 minutes when Andy Morrow headed agonisingly wide of the left upright after a corner from the right by McCloskey.

This miss provided the kick-start that Crusaders needed and only for some wasteful shooting from Coates and Rainey, as well as some fine blocks by Ryan Brown 1, the scores remained level.

Incisive moves by both teams failed to materialise as strong tackles led to numerous free-kicks in the midfield area. Barry Holland and John Kennedy were booked for mistimed challenges by referee Brian Turkington while some clumsy tackles by the opposition were allowed to pass unpunished.

Crusaders almost broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion after 35 minutes, when Liam Dunne thumped a dipping volley against the cross bar from 25 yards. Luckily for Bangor, Ryan Brown 1 was on hand to smoother the rebound under serious pressure from Rainey.

The first goal of the game arrived after 39 minutes thanks to the head of Jim McCloskey. Andy Morrow gathered the ball on the right flank before passing to Gary Clifford who whipped the ball into the penalty area. From 8 yards, McCloskey rose above Livingstone to head past the helpless Armstrong. McCloskey was booked seconds later for over-celebrating..

Half time: Crusaders 0 – 1 Bangor

The second half began with Crusaders forcing the early play, and after 55 minutes, the home side got the goal they deserved through David Rainey. The former Glentoran and Ards striker levelled the scores with a fine overhead kick from 10 yards to give the Bangor ‘keeper no chance.

Crusaders continued to keep Bangor on the back foot and were awarded a penalty when Ryan Brown 1 hauled down the dangerous winger. Stephen Shaw’s penalty was well saved low to his right by Brown, keeping Bangor level.

With Bangor losing composure on the ball thanks to good closing down work by the whole Crusaders team, the home team were camped in and around the Bangor box for much of the half. Bangor debutant Lee Feeney was booked by Brian Turkington after the former Rangers and Linfield star was adjudged to have fouled a Crusaders attacker.

After 72 minutes Crusaders took the lead. Stephen McBride, playing a more attacking role in the second half, advanced past a number of challenges before cutting into the penalty area and slamming the ball home from 12 yards.
In search of salvaging something from the game, Bangor replaced Gary Clifford with Ryan Brown 2 while Johnny Cheevers hobbled off to be replaced by John Douglas.

Crusaders should have put the game beyond all doubt after 76 minutes but thanks to some courageous goalkeeping and defending on the line by John Kennedy, Munster was denied what looked like a certain goal.

With only 5 minutes left to play, Bangor made a rare break up field and could have found an equaliser. After some neat football on the edge of the area between Morrow and Russell, Jim McCloskey latched on to a through ball. The lanky winger saw his low stab at the ball blocked by Armstrong in the Crusaders goal before the ball was eventually cleared to safety.

In injury time, the impressive David Rainey made the game safe, cutting in from the left past Barry Holland and hammering past the exposed Bangor ‘keeper.

This was a disappointing result and performance for the Bangor side who came up against an excellent Crusaders team that played some thrilling football, particularly in the second half.

Full-time: Crusaders 3 – 1 Bangor

Crusaders: Armstrong, Morrow, Beggs, Dunne, Spiers, Coates, Munster, Shaw, Livingstone, Rainey, McBride. Subs: Magowan, Doran and Montgomery.

Scorers: Rainey (2), McBride.
Booked: Rainey

Bangor: Brown 1, Clifford, Kennedy, Holland, Massey, Cheevers, McCloskey, Russell, Morrow, Feeney, Officer. Subs: Douglas, McStravick, and Brown 2.

Scorer: McCloskey
Booked: Holland, Kennedy, McCloskey, Feeney.

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