BALLYCLARE COMRADES 1-1 BANGOR

Looking to bounce back from the disappointing defeat to Coagh Untied, Bangor had to fight hard to earn a point at Dixon Park.

But it was Ballyclare who created the first opening of the match after 12 minutes. A cross-field ball from McDowell picked out Ricky Higgins free on the right corner of the penalty area. Fortunately for Bangor, the striker’s first time cross flew across goal missing Parkhill running in and drifting wide of the far post.

Bangor’s first threat on the Comrades’ goal came from Jim McCloskey after 15 minutes. The lanky winger beat his marker on the left before cutting infield and firing low across goal. Huxley could only parry the initial effort but the ball was hooked to safety by a Ballyclare defender.

2 minutes later, Johnny Cheevers found the side netting after a loose ball broke to him 8 yards from goal following a blocked free kick.

Lee Feeney then missed a good chance to score with his head after 33 minutes. A good passing move between Kerr, Morrow, and McCloskey on the left set up Feeney, but from 10 yards out, the former-Linfield forward headed over.

A minute later and only a spectacular Huxley save denied Feeney from breaking the deadlock. Andy Morrow played a long ball over the top of the defence for Feeney to latch onto 18 yards from goal. From just inside the right corner of the penalty area, Feeney’s well-struck volley was heading for the top corner until Huxley dived full length to his right to push the ball away for a corner.

Half-time: 0 – 0

The Comrades got off to the perfect start in the second half. With only a minute played since the restart, Ballyclare opened the scoring. A Freyne corner from the left picked out Forsythe but his header from 8 yards crashed off the crossbar. Paul Caldwell was quickest to react as he headed home the rebound from 6 yards.

Jim McCloskey almost struck back immediately, but Huxley was equal to his low shot from the left edge of the penalty area.

Ballyclare’s lead was short lived, as McCloskey got Bangor back on level terms after 57 minutes. Andy Morrow collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area before beating 3 men. Morrow coolly rolled the ball into McCloskey’s path on the left, and from 10 yards, the winger shot low through the hands of the sprawling Huxley.

This goal spurred Bangor on and it was again McCloskey who almost scored. Lee Feeney’s deep cross found McCloskey, but the goal-scorer’s header was saved by Huxley. A minute later and McCloskey turned provider as he set up the advancing Gary Clifford, but again Huxley was equal to the danger.

The home team buzzed around Bangor’s penalty area, but couldn’t force Ryan Brown into a save. Ricky Higgins did have a decent chance to score, but his header drifted wide of the upright from 8 yards.

Both teams turned to their substitutes in the hope of grabbing a winner. Bangor replaced McStravick and Dunlop with Cullen Feeney and Camlin respectively. While the Comrades brought on local favourite Eddie Hill in place of Trevor Parkhill.

Former Ballyclare defender Andy Massey almost snatched the winner for Bangor with 5 minutes remaining. Camlin’s corner, from the right, was headed just wide by Massey when well placed 10 yards from goal.

Despite a late scare from a Higgins’ 20-yard shot which flew just wide of the post, Bangor hung on to record a draw.

Full-Time 1-1

Bangor: Brown, Clifford, Larmour (Douglas), McStravick (C Feeney), Massey, Cheevers, Dunlop (Camlin), Kerr, Morrow, L Feeney, McCloskey.

Scorer: McCloskey (’57)
Booked: Camlin

Ballyclare Comrades: Huxley, Caldwell, Freyne, Murray, Emerson, McClean, McDowell, Forsythe (Lorrimer), Parkhill (Hill), Higgins, Hamilton.

Scorer: Caldwell (’46)
Booked: Hamilton, Emerson

Referee: Mr Brian Turkington

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Pre-War History


League Cup 1993


Brian Mulgrew