BANGOR 1-2 LOUGHGALL, WKD Intermediate Cup

Clandeboye Park, Saturday 23rd February 2008
Match Report by Neil Watson 

A controversial last minute goal sent Bangor out of the Intermediate Cup as Loughgall came from behind to progress into the semi-finals. Bangor had taken a first half lead when Andy Forsythe headed in James Bell's cross, but the lead was cancelled out in the 56th minute as Ryan Moffett struck home from 18 yards. The game seemed to be destined for extra-time, only for Lucas Adamcyzk to bundle the ball into the net from close range despite protests from Bangor players over an off-side decision that was not given.

As in the earlier league encounter, Loughgall began the match with all guns blazing, forcing a number of early corners. Bangor were able to hold firm however, but Adamcyzk was gifted a sight on goal in the 6th minute after a fortunate deflection. The former-Glentoran player reacted quickest but he dragged his 8 yard shot across goal and wide of the post.

Ryan Moffett tried his luck from 20 yards moments later, but his curling freekick flew just over the Bangor crossbar as Loughgall threatened to take control.

The game began to become bogged down in midfield, but it was Bangor who were starting to exert control of proceedings. And this dominance was rewarded in the 23rd minute when the unmarked Forsythe made the most of James Bell's cross to power a header past the exposed Marc Robinson.

Missing the ineligible Marty Verner, Bangor were using Tony Smith's pace and determination to cause problems for the Loughgall defence, but more often than not, the well organised Peden and Murphy were on hand to snub out any danger.

Half-time: 1 - 0

Loughgall began the second half looking for an immediate goal, and but for a superbly timed last ditch Paul Harbinson tackle, Adamcyzk would have had that chance 2 minutes after the restart as the striker bore down on Ryan Brown.

Noel Robinson was guilty of wasting a glorious opportunity for the visitors as he fired wildly over the crossbar from 12 yards after the ball had slipped from Ryan Brown's grasp as he struggled under a looping right wing cross in the 53rd minute.

Despite Loughgall dominating after the break, Bangor had a good chance to double their lead when Andy Forsythe was played through on goal by Smith. The left winger cut in from his flank before forcing a smart blocking save from Robinson from 12 yards.

A minute later and Loughgall had the equaliser they had been searching for. Ryan Moffett gathered the loose ball on the edge of Bangor's penalty area before rifling a low shot which flashed past the diving Brown and into the bottom corner of the goal.

Bangor, with Carl Rezai filling in at centre-half beside Paul Harbinson, found themselves having to do some stout defending in the face of some continued pressure from the visitors. But Bangor always looked threatening on the counter-attack with Morrow forcing Robinson to make two fairly comfortable saves.

With 75 minutes played, Ryan Brown made a superb reaction save as he got down quickly to block Alan Murphy's close range effort after Ryan Moffett's dangerous freekick had found it's way into Bangor's 6-yard box.

As extra-time loomed, Tony Smith brought a good save out of Robinson after the nippy forward latched onto Morrow's through ball. The on-loan forward cut back in field from the left before firing a shot on goal which was well held by the 'keeper.

That chance was to prove decisive as Loughgall broke upfield to score the winner in the 90th minute. Ryan Brown could only get a hand to a right wing cross, allowing the ball to fall loose in the penalty area. Carl Rezai reacted but his clearance struck Brown before being bundled home by Adamcyzk as Dean Smith stepped aside on the goal line to let the ball nestle in the bottom corner.

Bangor won a corner deep in injury time, and with almost everyone in the Loughgall penalty area, the ball was cleared to Adamcyzk who raced clear on goal. The forward looked odds-on to score, but Ryan Brown stood up well to block the shot as the referee ended what was an entertaining cup tie between two well matched teams.

Full-time: 1 - 2

Bangor: Brown 1, Bailie, Beggs, Rezai, Bell, Harbinson, Melly, Irvine, Morrow, T Smith, Forsythe. Subs not used: Collier, Brown 2

Scorer: Forsythe ('23)

Loughgall: M Robinson, Waddell, Alderdice, Peden, Murphy, Herron, Moffett, A Smith (Pentland '68), Adamcyzk, N Robinson, D Smith. Subs not used: ???, ???, ???, ???

Scorers: Moffett ('56), Adamcyzk ('90) Booked: N Robinson, A Smith

Referee: Mr D Dunlop

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