BANGOR 2 -2 Ards, Carnegie First Division

Clandeboye Park, Saturday 22nd March 2008
Match Report by Neil Watson 

Bangor twice threw away the lead in this north Down derby and had to settle for a share of the spoils which further dents the Seasiders title aspirations. Andy Forsythe gave his side the lead inside the opening 3 minutes, but James Wilson was to level in controversial circumstances just after half time. Former-Ards striker Darren Fitzgerald headed Bangor back into the lead moments later but substitute David Cully was the Ards hero as he salvaged a point with his first touch of the game.

Andy Forsythe had Ards goalkeeper Andy McDonald to thank for his opening goal in the 3rd minute. The Bangor winger swung his corner in from the right forcing the backpeddling McDonald to spill the ball over the line despite the best efforts of a covering defender.

It was Andy Forsythe who was proving to be an early thorn in the side of Ards as the winger's set pieces caused all sorts of problems for a shaky defence. His 23rd minute corner gave Ryan Brown 2 the chance to shoot, but his 16 yard shot was blocked in a crowded 6-yard box. A minute later Forsythe's freekick was fortuitously sliced over his own crossbar by Darren Nixon.

Bangor were the dominate side in the first half as Ards continued to cause problems for themselves with some awful passing. Andy Morrow benefited from one such poor pass from Nixon allowing the Bangor captained to rifle a crossfield pass to Forsythe on the half hour mark. Forsythe laid the ball infield for Fitzgerald who showed a deft touch in flicking the ball on for Verner. The Bangor striker raced through on goal, but McDonald was quickly off his line to smoother the ball at Verner's feet.

The same Fitzgerald and Verner combination created more difficulties for the visitors moments later. Fitzgerald did well to fool his marker after a long punt from Ryan Brown 1, allowing the ball to travel through for Verner. Baring down on goal from the left flank, Verner fired a shot towards the far corner which McDonald did well to hold high to his left.

Ards' only chance of the half arrived in the 40th minute when Craig McMillen swivelled and fired a shot from the edge of the Bangor penalty area, forcing Brown to save low to his right.

Bangor needed another goal to show reward for their dominance and that almost arrived on the stroke of half time when Andy Morrow's dipping 25 yard shot clipped the roof of the netting on its way over the crossbar.

Half-time: 1 - 0

Ards found themselves back on level terms 2 minutes after the restart. Referee John McKnight stunned everyone in Clandeboye Park when he awarded a throw-in to Ards despite Aaron McKee getting the final touch on Colin Beggs' clearance. The throw-in was quickly taken, finding Ricky Billing inside the penalty area. The bustling forward's turn and shot forced Brown into a save, but the ball looped up kindly for James Wilson who was on hand to head into the empty net.

The Seasiders hit back immediately thanks to the hard work of Ryan Brown 2. Breaking up an Ards attack, Brown combined with Verner before setting off on a dash down the right flank. Leaving two defenders in his wake, the winger sent in an inviting cross which Fitzgerald stooped to head the into the net from 8 yards.

Johnny Roy almost brought his side back into the game in the 53rd minute but his rasping 25 yard drive was just too high as it clipped the crossbar on its way over.

Bangor continued to press forward, but their final effort on goal in what was a disappointing second half performance was in the 64th minute. Having been awarded a freekick on the edge of the Ards penalty area following a cynical foul on Forsythe, Andy Morrow sent a curling effort towards the top corner forcing McDonald into a fine flying save as the 'keeper pushed the ball over the crossbar.

Ards began to control the game for the first time and threatened the Bangor goal in the 70th minute. Substitute Justin McBride helped the ball on for a suspiciously offside looking Darren Sterling, but from 8 yards the former-Crusaders striker poked his effort across goal and wide of the upright.

Tommy Kincaid decided to change things in his Ards side moments later with David Cully replacing defender Kris Pike. And it was Cully who found the equaliser with his first touch in the 72nd minute when the substitute snuck in unmarked behind the Bangor defence to fire home from a long range Spence freekick.

A series of Ards corners kept Bangor on the back foot, but while the home side struggled to get hold of the ball, Ryan Brown wasn't made to work hard in the Bangor goal until the 86th minute. Darren Sterling's low 20 yard shot bobbled in front of Brown forcing the diving keeper to use an outstretched arm to deflect the bouncing ball wide of the post.

Full-time: 2 - 2

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

Scorers: Forsythe ('3), Fitzgerald ('50) Booked: Verner, Melly

Ards: McDonald, Clifford, Pike (Cully), Nixon, Spence, Roy, Wilson, McKee, Sterling, Billing (McBride), McMillen. Subs not used: Johnston, Parker, Walsh

Scorers: Wilson ('47), Cully ('72) Booked: Spence, Clifford

Referee: Mr J McKnight

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