NEWRY TOWN 2 - 1 BANGOR
Daily Mirror Premier League Play-Off
Friday 9th May 2003

The second leg of the 2003 play-offs at the Newry Showgrounds provided a rollercoaster of emotions for all concerned. It had been a season where Bangor had narrowly missed out on automatic promotion by finishing fifth in the First Division. Earlier in the week, the first leg at Clandeboye Park had been a tense scoreless affair, with Bangor failing to drive home the advantage of playing against 10 men for much of the game. Not even the debut appearance of Irish League veteran Stephen Baxter could steer the Seasiders to victory in the first leg.

Newry dominated much of the first half proceedings and much of the play took place in the Bangor half. Newry however were often met with some solid Bangor defending. Ryan Brown was largely inactive despite the fact that Newry were having the lion's share of possession. Declan McGreevy however was forced to hook one effort off the goal line.

The face of the game changed dramatically on 34 minutes when Philip Rogan latched on to a lofted Paul Milligan through ball and volleyed the ball in to the corner of Stuart Addis's goal. The Bangor contingent of support went wild with celebration, knowing that the away goal was crucial. Newry seemed stunned by the sudden realisation that they needed to score two goals to win the tie.

HALF-TIME: NEWRY TOWN 0- 1 BANGOR

Newry came out for the second half with a renewed vigor and continually forced Bangor back in to their own half. On 52 minutes they got their reward when David Hoey headed the ball back across the goal and John Joe Maguire was able to stab the ball home from close range.

Bangor's efforts were dealt another savage blow 10 minutes later when goalscorer Philip Rogan was dismissed for violent conduct in an off the ball incident. Newry were now on the front foot and launched wave after wave of attack. Bangor were now forced to play Stuart MacPherson as a lone striker and subsequently found it difficult to keep the ball in the opposing half.

Stuart MacPherson had a glorious opportunity to kill the tie when he was sent clean through on goal, but failed to get his shot away in time. Andy Morrow's follow-up was comfortably headed off the goal line by Gavin McCrystal.

The crucial moment in the game came on 81 minutes. John Joe Maguire went to ground in the penalty area under Ryan McLaughlin's challenge and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. After the game McLaughlin remained defiant saying that his opponent had just turned and the next thing he knew he was on the floor. Robbie Brunton stepped up and slotted the ball low into the right hand corner of the Bangor net, with Ryan Brown sent the wrong way.

Bangor were now forced to attack at all costs and were nearly caught on the break on several occassions. The introduction of Barry Rooney,Stephen Baxter and Kevin Bates ultimately had little impact on the course of the match. Bangor struggled to build any meaningful attacks and eventually Mark Courtney blew the final whistle after playing nearly 7 minutes of injury time.

Newry fans celebrated wildly at the end, while the inconsolable Bangor players and supporters were left to reflect on a season of so many missed opportunities.

NEWRY TOWN
Addis, Fulton, Brunton, Young (Grant-69), Byrne, McCrystal, Curran, Maguire, Hoey, Reilly, Meehan

BANGOR
Brown, Magowan, Beggs (Rooney - 83), McGreevy, Davidson (Baxter - 91), Milligan ( Bates - 89), McLaughlin, MacPherson, Rogan, Russell, Morrow.

Referee:
Mark Courtney (Dungannon)