BANGOR 0-0 PORTSTEWART , Carnegie First Division

Clandeboye Park, Saturday 8th March 2008
Match Report by Neil Watson 

Bangor's title aspirations took a major blow at a blustery Clandeboye Park as the Seaiders struggled to find a way past basement side Portstewart. The strong winds ruined the game as a spectacle, but Bangor will be disappointed to have slipped up against the 1st Divison strugglers while Portstewart will be cursing their own luck in a game which they could have won but for the width of the post.

The home side handed a debut to new loan signing Darren Fitzgerald as the former-Glentoran forward partnered Marty Verner up front with Andy Morrow given a free role behind the strikers.

It was Bangor goalkeeper Ryan Brown who had to make the first save of the match in the 5th minute when he got down quickly to hold onto Andrzej Kleczkowski's stinging 20 yard shot.

Bangor's new forward pairing linked up well in the 21st minute when a quick exchange of passes sent Marty Verner into the penalty area. Verner did well to sidestep a couple of defenders, but Matthew McGraw stood up to block the striker's 8 yard shot.

It was McGraw who rescued his side on the half hour mark when he threw himself to his right to push away Colin Beggs' back post header from a Morrow cross. Morrow's resultant corner was destined for the top corner but for McGraw pushing the ball over the crossbar. Marty Verner's follow up corner was spilled by the keeper, but under pressure, David Irvine sent his 10 yard header looping over the crossbar.

Andy Morrow again brought the best out of the Porstewart goalkeeper as the Bangor captain latched onto a clever Fitzgerald flick. Advancing into the penalty area, Morrow fired a left footed effort towards the far corner, but McGraw superbly threw himself to his left to push the ball away.

On the stroke of half time Portstewart made an opening for themselves, but Andrzej Kleczkowski's low shot from the left was well saved by Ryan Brown falling to his right.

Half-time: 0 - 0

Bangor struggled to find any sort of rhythm after the break as they struggled to break down a packed visiting defence while it was Portstewart who began to look increasingly threatening going forward.

Ian Todd was unfortunate to see his 20 yard shot fly just past the base of the post after Bangor struggled to properly clear the danger in the 54th minute.

That chance should have served as a reminder for Bangor of the visiting threat, but 5 minutes later, the woodwork came to the Seasider's aid as Portstewart were denied the opening goal. Ryan McAllister did well to turn Gilmore inside the penalty area, but the forward looked on as his shot rolled across goal before bouncing off the inside of the post and being thumped clear by Harbinson.

Bangor's best chance of the half arrived in the 70th minute when McGraw stood tall to block Irvine's close range effort. The ball broke kindly for Bangor allowing Morrow the chance to clip the ball back into the penalty area where Marty Verner misjudged his 8 yard header as the ball flew across goal.

A Stephen Munn slip in the 75th minute let Ian Todd race through on goal, but the Portstewart forward rushed his effort as he wastefully] lifted the ball into the hands of Ryan Brown from just inside the penalty area.

The visiting defence were resolute as they restricted Bangor into moving sideways rather than forwards for long spells while Matthew McGraw dealt with every cross which the Seasiders could fire into the box. In the closing moments of injury time, McGraw was again on hand to bravely block Verner's close range effort from a Bangor freekick.

Full-time: 0 - 0

Bangor: Brown 1, Rezai, Beggs, Munn, Gilmore, Harbinson, Bell (Melly '60), Irvine, Morrow, Verner, Fitzgerald. Subs not used: Brown 2, Bailie, Collier, T Smith

Booked: Irvine

Portstewart: McGraw, M Smith, Duggan, Taylor, Whiteside, Moffett, Gaston (Cheuck '79), Rushe, McAllister, Todd, Kleczkowski. Subs not used: Quinn, McDonald

Booked: Taylor, M Smith

Referee: Mr T. Moutray

SITE FEATURES:


Pre-War History


Do you remember


Supporters v Ards