BANGOR 3-1 BALLYCLARE COMRADES

In a break from the Intermediate League Cup, Bangor and Ballyclare Comrades fought out an entertaining match in the Steel and Sons Cup at Clandeboye Park. With Bangor looking to defend the trophy, Barry Holland gave them the perfect start after only 3 minutes.

On the left hand side of midfield, Davy Officer played a short pass to Jim McCloskey, who crossed the ball to the back post where the unmarked Barry Holland headed the ball home from 8 yards past the stranded Huxley. However, the lead only lasted for 2 minutes when Stuart Galbraith volleyed home after a knock down by Lorrimer at the back post, straight onto the midfielder’s foot. Galbraith was unlucky not to score his second goal minutes later when a flashing volley from the edge of the penalty area was well held by Ryan Brown 1.

With the opening exchanges being fairly evenly contested, it was Bangor who perhaps had more territorial possession, but the fewer clear cut chances. This was evident on 19 minutes, when Ryan Brown 1 reacted brilliantly to palm over a glancing Dean Doherty header.

Soon, it was Bangor who really began to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Brian Russell was unlucky not to score when, after a great turn and cross on the right wing by Andy Morrow, the centre forward’s flicked header narrowly flew past the far upright.

Bangor’s hard work was finally rewarded on 28 minutes. After a good passing move, John Douglas did well to hold the ball up before executing a deft back heel into the path of the ever-dangerous Davy Officer. Officer smashed the ball left footed past the helpless Huxley into the bottom corner from 25 yards to give Bangor the lead.

The third goal of the match seemed to open play up further, with good chances at either end. In the Bangor goal, Ryan Brown 1 was forced to make another smart save as he dived to push a Ricky Higgins shot round the post for a corner. From the resultant corner, the ‘keeper had to make a point blank save before the ball was eventually cleared for another corner. The impressive Stuart Galbraith again could have doubled his tally as he caught Brian Russell in possession before forcing Ryan Brown 1 to tip the 25-yard drive over the bar for a corner just before half time. At the other end, the lively Davy Officer cut in from the left wing before curling a right-footed shot straight at Alan Huxley.

Half time: Bangor 2 – 1 Ballyclare Comrades

The second half began scrappily with Davy Officer and John Douglas being booked for late challenges. After 52 minutes, Ballyclare were forced to make their first change with Evan Forsythe limping off to be replaced by Robbie Budden in defence.

Bangor had the better of the early second half chances with Andy Morrow being the focal point of most Bangor attacks. On 55 minutes, Morrow did well to win the ball on the right hand touchline before sending a low ball into six-yard area. Brian Russell managed to get a toe to the ball, before it was blocked for a corner.

Ballyclare, knowing that they needed to score, began to put the Bangor defence under pressure. However, excellent work at the back by McStravick, Kennedy and Massey never allowed Doherty or Higgins a free reign on goal. The solid defending was helped by being behind a hard working and tough tackling midfield of Johnny Cheevers and Barry Holland.

With players beginning to tire on both sides, McDowell replaced Wayne Lorrimer for Ballyclare while Jackie Kerr replaced John Douglas in the Bangor midfield. Later, Ryan Brown 2 replaced Brian Russell in attack and Johnny Cleary replaced Davy Officer at the death.

With Ballyclare pushing forward in search of the needed equaliser, the Bangor forwards were finding holes in the visiting team’s defence. Andy Morrow split two defenders with a superb pass to Jackie Kerr on the left wing. Kerr’s low, hard cross just evaded McCloskey and Ryan Brown 2 after 38 minutes. A few minutes later and Davy Officer almost added to his goal with a second. A well struck shot from just outside the penalty area forced Huxley to beat the ball away, but luckily for Ballyclare, Ryan Brown’s follow up cross was just behind the Bangor attackers.

Substitute Ryan Brown 2 was using his blistering pace to good effect by continually running at Murray in defence. The speedy winger beat the full back with ease and late on, his low cross was smothered by a diving Alan Huxley at the feet of Jim McCloskey.

Now that Ballyclare were throwing everything forward in an attempt to salvage a late equaliser, Andy Morrow scored the goal that he deserved. Centre half Jim McStravick picked up the ball on the half way line and showed good composure to evade a lunging Ballyclare player before passing the ball to Morrow’s feet. Morrow coolly turned his marker before placing the ball low past Huxley from the edge of the penalty area to round off a much-improved Bangor performance.

Full time: Bangor 3 – 1 Ballyclare Comrades

Bangor:
Brown 1, Kennedy, Holland, McStravick, Massey, Cheevers, Douglas, Officer, Morrow, Russell, McCloskey.
Subs: Kerr, Brown 2, Cleary.

Ballyclare:
Huxley, Caldwell, Murray, Forsythe, Emerson, Galbraith, Lorrimer, McClean, Doherty, Higgins, Jordan.
Subs: Wilson, McDowell, Budden.

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Pre-War History