Following their triumphant victory over
Ards in the 1993 Irish Cup Final, Bangor ventured into Europe.
The preliminary draw paired Bangor with Apoel Nicosia
from Cyprus - the winners would play Paris St Germain in
the next round. The first leg at Clandeboye Park had
finished 1-1, so the Seasiders knew they had to score at
least once in Nicosia.
Just a few minutes on the clock and Bangor
forced a corner on the left. New boy Marc Kenny whipped
in a near post cross for Mark Glendenning to power home
a fantastic header from six yards. Bangor had their
precious away goal within just 4 minutes.
(Bangor played in an unfamiliar blue away strip.)
Bangor's joy was short lived and after 16
minutes, Apoel were awarded a dubious free kick on the edge
of the area which was dispatched into the top corner of
Stephen Eachus' net.
As the first half wore on, Apoel began to
take control of the match and Bangor were fortunate enough
to see an offside goal ruled out and an Apoel striker blast
wide of the goal when clean through.
Half Time Apoel Nicosia 1-1 Bangor
In the second half, Bangor were looking fairly
comfortable, and were frustrating the Apoel attack. Disaster
struck on 70 minutes when Apoel were awarded a corner kick.
Apoel changed takers for the kick and the flight
of the ball seemed to deceive Stephen Eachus in the Bangor
goal as it swung in to the far corner of the goal.
Bangor had 20 minutes to rescue the game,
but struggled to create any more meaningful chances. After
the game, Bangor manager Nigel Best showed little sign of
sympathy for his goalkeeper.
BANGOR TEAM:
S.Eachus, M.Glendinning, T.Canning, R.Hill, R.McGuinness,
S.Brown, R.McEvoy, J.O'Connor, M.Kenny, D.McCallan, M.Crowe,
