BANGOR 4 - 2 BALLYMONEY UTD.

Bangor warmed up for their Irish Cup Semi-Final clash with Linfield next week with a hard fought victory over bottom of the league Ballymoney United. Cullen Feeney was the hero of the day grabbing a hat trick against the Ballymoney side as his brother, Lee, had done earlier in the season.

It took only 3 minutes for Bangor to open the scoring from the penalty spot. Andy Morrow controlled McCloskey’s low left wing free kick before being tripped by Gilmore inside the area. Referee Hugh Carville pointed to the spot and Cullen Feeney made no mistake from 12 yards to record his second goal for the club.

Bangor’s brisk pace, helped by a strong wind, was causing early problems for the Ballymoney back line with the industrious Ryan Brown 2 forcing a smart save from Smyth before Jim McCloskey twice went close with a header and a long-range free kick.

With 20 minutes played, Grant Dunlop fought hard in midfield to win the ball and release David Officer clear on goal. Officer rounded the ‘keeper but his cross-cum-shot evaded the on-rushing Brown and rolled wide of the right upright.

The home side’s dominance continued with Simon Smyth having to be alert after 25 minutes to prevent Bangor extending their lead. David Officer and Ryan Brown 2 combined well in midfield allowing Brown to get a sight on goal. As the forward shaped to shoot, Smyth was quickly off his line to smoother the ball at Brown’s feet.

Ballymoney’s first attack of the half came after 35 minutes. Left back David Gage advanced down the wing before whipping in a cross to Gareth McLaughlin on the edge of the penalty area. The forward volleyed first time but Ryan Brown 1 was down quickly to his left to hold on to the shot.

With 3 minutes of the half remaining, Bangor should have extended their lead. Ryan Brown 2 split the visitor’s back line with a perfect pass to David Officer who beat the offside trap well. Officer controlled the ball before trying to slide it past Smyth who did well to save low to his right.

Half time: 1 – 0

Bangor started the second half like they began the first but this time they were unlucky not to score. McCloskey’s corner after 49 minutes from the right was met in the air by Andy Massey but the centre-half’s powerful header crashed off the crossbar. The rebound was cleared as far as McCloskey on the right corner of the penalty area. The winger’s blistering shot was well parried by Smyth diving to his right.

With the wind in their backs, Ballymoney began to force Bangor onto the back foot. After 55 minutes, Ryan Brown 1 denied Liam Kearney. The midfielder gathered a flick on before volleying from 16 yards but Brown saved well to deny the visitors.

2 minutes later and substitute Stephen Hogg should have done better from 8 yards. Cage’s cross from the left picked out the unmarked Hogg, but the substitute could only head the ball tamely into the arms of Brown.

The visiting team got their reward for their improved second half display when referee High Carville awarded the second penalty of the match. The referee adjudged that Johnny Cheevers had tripped Liam Kearney inside the penalty area. Gareth McLaughlin stepped up and slotted the ball home to level the scores with 65 minutes played.

Ryan Brown 1 was again called into action 3 minutes later. A clearance from the Bangor defence fell to Gavin Burnside who shot from 20 yards. Luckily for the home side, Burnside’s shot was straight at Brown who held the shot gratefully.

With Bangor having to change their system as Chris Nicholl limped off to be replaced by John Douglas, it was the substitute who forced a fine save from Smyth. From the right flank, Douglas shot from 25 yards towards goal. However, Smyth was on hand to push the ball behind for a corner.

Bangor got their second goal of the game after 84 minutes. Douglas beat a man in the centre of midfield before finding McCloskey on the left. McCloskey expertly beat his marker before chipping the ball towards the centre of the penalty area. Cullen Feeney rose highest to power his header past the helpless Smyth.

With 87 minutes played, Bangor captain Andy Morrow scored an excellent goal to secure the game. McCloskey and Brown 2 combined on the left. Brown 2 turned his marker with ease before cutting the ball back to Morrow 16 yards from goal. Morrow held off the challenges of three defenders before calmly lifting the ball over Smyth and into the net.

Bangor’s goal glut continued 2 minutes later as Cullen Feeney completed his hat trick. McCloskey’s corner from the left was headed downwards by Massey for Feeney to toe poke the ball home to seal the victory and claim the match ball.

Ballymoney grabbed a consolation goal in the 91st minute. Stephen Hogg ran onto a long ball up field from defence. While holding off the challenge of Cheevers, Hogg blasted the ball past Brown and into the net.

On the stroke of full-time, Bangor could have extended their lead further. Andy Morrow turned his marker before rolling the ball invitingly towards Jackie Kerr. As Kerr shaped to roll the ball home from 6 yards, a Ballymoney defender cleared the ball off the Bangor man’s toe to safety.

Bangor: Brown 1, Nicholl (Douglas), Feeney, Cheevers, Massey, McCloskey, Dunlop, Kerr, Morrow, Brown 2, Officer (Larmour). Sub not used: Russell
Scorers: Feeney (‘3, ’84, ’89), Morrow (’87)

Ballymoney: Smyth, Wilkinson, Gage, Hill, G Kearney, Burnside, Gilmore, L Kearney, McCaughey, McLaughlin, Kirgan (Hogg). Subs not used: O’Neill, Carson.
Scorer: Hogg (’90)

SITE FEATURES:


Brian Mulgrew


Harry Baird


League Cup 1993