NEWINGTON YC 1-2 BANGOR (AET)

A brace from centre-half Paul Harbinson was enough to see Bangor progress to the Semi-Finals of the Steel and Sons Cup at the expense of Newington Y.C. The home side provided a very physical test for the Seasiders on a bumpy and hard pitch, but having fallen behind to a first half goal, Newington sent the game into extra time with a late Neil Quinn goal. Harbinson was the Bangor hero as he applied the finish to Stephen Munn's freekick in the 2nd period of extra time to give the visitors a deserved and creditable win.

Newington had the first sight of goal in the 8th minute when the unmarked Sean Adams headed Gerard Lyttle's cross over the crossbar from 12 yards.

Paul McDowell made the most of a slip in the home defence in the 10th minute to send a low shot towards goal which needed Paul Snodden to push the ball behind for a corner. Andy Forsythe's perfectly flighted corner was met by Paul Harbinson who sent his headed effort into the top left corner from 8 yards.

Bangor came within inches of doubling their advantage in the 23rd minute when Paul McDowell's bending 20-yard freekick bounced just wide of the upright with Snodden rooted to the spot.

A clever flick in the 34th minute from Glenn Hand created space for Andy Morrow in the home penalty area, but from a tight angle on the right, the Bangor forward could only send his volley fizzing over the crossbar.

Having abandonned their overly physical approach to the game, Newington began to play some skillful passing football. One intricate move involving Taggart, Burns and Brannigan created an opening for Thomas Duffy in the 40th minute, but the former-Moyla Park forward dragged his shot from 18 yards wide of the left post.

Half time: 0 - 1

Neither side was able to force themselves on the opposition after half-time, with the ball becoming bogged down in midfield and the flow of the game being interrupted by niggling fouls.

The home side created a chance for themselves in the 67th minute thanks to some good play down the left wing. Healey and Brannigan combined well giving Healey the chance to send an inviting ball across the face of the Bangor goal where there was no Newington player on hand to provide the finishing touch.

Ryan Brown 1 had to display his prowess moments later as Newington threatened to level the scores. The junior international 'keeper dived at full length low to his right to hold onto Gavin Taggart's stinging 20 yard volley.

A super lofted pass from Andy Forsythe in the 75th minute picked out Andy Morrow in the Newington penalty area, but after bringing the ball down with his first touch, his goalbound second touch was deflected behind for a corner. Again, Forsythe floated in a teasing cross this time picking out Stephen Munn at the back post, but the tough-tackling defender sent his header wide from 8 yards.

As the final whistle loomed, Newington paid the price for their physicality with the sending-off of Gavin Taggart for his second bookable offence.

Despite this setback, the home side found themselves level deep into stoppage time. Having collected Dominic McAlea's pass, Neil Quinn remained composed to slide the ball under the on-rushing Ryan Brown 1 from 16 yards.

Bangor had a chance to win the game before extra time when Ryan Brown 2 saw his curling effort fly just wide of the post in the 97th minute after some good play from Morrow and Bailie.

Full-time: 1 - 1

With the prospect of having to partake in their first penalty shootout since the heartbreak of last season's promotion/relegation play-off, Bangor set about securing the win in extra time. In the 9th minute of extra time, the Seasiders were awarded a freekick 35 yards from goal. Stephen Munn floated the ball into the penalty area where several Bangor players made a nuisance of themselves causing goalkeeper Paul Snodden to flap badly at the cross, allowing Paul Harbinson the chance to slot the ball home from a tight angle to mark the defender's 3rd goal in the 3 games.

Ryan Brown 2 had a good chance to seal the game in the last minute of extra-time, but having raced clear of the defence and shaping to shoot, the ball bobbled badly forcing the substitute's shot to fly high over the crossbar.

A.E.T : 1 - 2

Bangor: Brown 1, Collier, Bailie, Munn, Bell, Harbinson, Hand, Irvine, Morrow, McDowell (Brown 2), Forsythe. Subs not used: Emerson, Rosson.

Scorer: Harbinson ('11, '99)
Booked: Collier, Forsythe

Newington: Snodden, Lyttle (D. McAlea), Healey (J. McAlea), Morgan, Adams, Lyndsay (Carmichael), Quinn, Burns, Duffy, Taggart, Brannigan

Scorer: Quinn ('90+3)
Booked: Quinn, Lyttle, Brannigan, Taggart, D. McAlea, Morgan
Sent-off: Taggart

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