LIMAVADY UTD 1-3 BANGOR
Saturday 11th February 2006
A superb second half comeback from the ten-man
Bangor side booked the Seasiders’ place in the Quarter
Finals of the Irish Cup. Despite playing with 10 men for
almost an hour after Johnny Cheevers had been sent off,
Bangor produced 3 second half goals to seal a memorable
victory over the senior opposition.
After a bright opening from both sides, it
was Limavady who took the advantage after 12 minutes. Niall
Cooke collected a pass on the right flank before dashing
clear from Massey. Cooke crossed low into the box, but despite
Brown getting a hand to the ball, the rebound fell to Austin
Friel who duly slotted the ball home.
The lively Friel was causing the Bangor defence
all sorts of problems with his blistering pace, and the
forward was unlucky not to have extended the Roesiders’
lead minutes later. Friel’s initial shot from a Mark
Magennis cross was well blocked by Brown while the follow
up shot hit the left post before being hooked to safety
by McStravick.
Ryan Brown had to be alert to the Limavady
danger after 20 minutes. Ryan Coyle shot low from the left
corner of the penalty area, but the Bangor ‘keeper
was equal to the shot as he blocked the ball with his legs.
Bangor’s chance of getting anything
from the game seemed to evaporate after 26 minutes when
Johnny Cheevers was sent off for a professional foul 10
yards into the Bangor half.
Austin Friel was guilty of missing a glorious
chance to extend the Premier League side’s lead. John
Curran crossed perfectly from the right flank picking out
the unmarked Friel 8 yards from goal. Fortunately for Bangor,
Friel headed over the crossbar.
Bangor’s only threatening attack on
goal arrived after 36 minutes. Andy Morrow played the perfect
pass through to Grant Dunlop on the right flank. Dunlop
cut infield but the midfielder’s shot was dragged
agonisingly wide of the far post.
Limavady looked to have doubled their lead
on 39 minutes through Mark Magennis. However, referee Ken
Ginnett ruled the former-Bangor man’s goal out for
handball.
Only a fantastic reflex save from Ryan Brown
denied Austin Friel his second goal of the game. A cross
from the left was allowed to travel through the crowded
penalty area to Friel at the back post. The forward struck
a powerful right footed shot, but Brown instinctively stuck
out a hand to block the shot.
Half Time: 1 – 0
Bangor began the second half brightly, forcing
the early chances. David Officer drove just wide of the
left post from 20 yards after 4 minutes while Jim McCloskey
volleyed over the crossbar 2 minutes later.
The Bangor midfield began to get a stranglehold
of the game and the equalising goal was just reward for
the improved second half performance.
After 61 minutes, Jackie Kerr found himself
clear of the Limavady defence 30 yards from goal. The midfielder
advanced forward before passing to Jim McCloskey. McCloskey
rounded Nelson in the Limavady goal but the chance looked
to have vanished when McCloskey cut back past the stranded
Nelson. Instead of shooting, McCloskey rolled the ball into
the path of Dunlop on the right. Dunlop delicately chipped
the ball to the back post where Russell rose highest to
head across goal for McCloskey to head home.
As Limavady looked to strike back immediately,
Niall Cooke was guilty of missing a good chance 8 yards
from goal. Fortunately for Bangor, Cooke misjudged his volley,
sending the ball high over the crossbar.
With 73 minutes played, Kenny Camlin replaced
David Officer and the substitute had an immediate impact.
Camlin collected a pass on the left corner
of the penalty area. The bustling forward controlled the
pass before shooting across goal and into the bottom corner
of the net past the helpless Nelson.
Bangor sealed their emphatic comeback through
inspirational captain Andy Morrow with 9 minutes left to
play. Brian Russell played the perfect pass through the
Limavady back line for Morrow to run on to. Morrow coolly
rounded Nelson and slid the ball home from a tight angle
completing a truly remarkable comeback.
Limavady struggled to test Brown or the Bangor
defence in the closing minutes. A speculative 30 yard effort
from Martin Cutmore was easily gathered by the Bangor ‘keeper
as the match drew to a close.
Full time: 1 – 3
Bangor: Brown, Cheevers, Feeney, McStravick,
Massey, Russell, Dunlop (Douglas), Kerr, Morrow, McCloskey,
Officer (Camlin). Sub not used: Nicholl
Scorers: McCloskey (’61), Camlin (’74),
Morrow (’81)
Booked: Feeney, Kerr, Russell, McStravick
Sent Off: Cheevers
Limavady Utd: Nelson, Curran (Lowry), Cutmore,
Callaghan, Cooley, Shields, Friel, Patrick, Cooke, Magennis,
Coyle (Ferry). Sub not used: Semple
Scorer: Friel (’12)
Booked: Friel
Referee: Mr Ken Ginnett
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