BANGOR 0
ARDS 0
Rory McKee at Clandeboye Park
NEITHER Bangor nor Ards managed to land the decisive blow on Boxing Day as the two sides had to settle for a point each in a goalless draw.
The Seasiders played for over an hour with 10 men after Robbie Garrett was sent off for the second time this season, but Ards couldn’t make the numerical advantage count and the spoils were shared in front of a bumper festive crowd.
After a disjointed opening Bangor had the first sight of goal on 13 minutes when Ben Arthurs headed over from a Marty Bradley cross.
The momentum then swung the way of Ards with the Red and Blues putting the league leaders under the cosh by forcing a series of corners, one of which required Arthurs to head off his line.
Midway through the half the game’s key moment arrived as Bangor midfielder Robbie Garrett was shown a straight red card by referee Michael McKenna following an off-ball altercation with Aidan Steele.
Lee Feeney’s men went on the attack immediately after the sending off and Alex Moore produced a smart save with his feet to keep out an effort from Scott McArthur.
Goalless at the break, there was a renewed energy about Bangor in the early part of the second half with opportunities falling the way of both Stephen McGuinness and Marty Bradley. The former’s shot lacked any real conviction after neat build-up play while Bradley could only direct his header straight into the arms of Moore on 57 minutes.
Matthew Ferguson entered the fray for Bangor on the hour mark and the striker went close to making an instant impact, however Moore was on hand to divert the attempt out for a corner.
Three minutes later Patrick Cafolla was allowed to travel some 60 yards with the ball but dragged his shot harmlessly wide of James Taylor’s left-hand post. Lewis Harrison then fired well over at the other end as the game began to open up.
With just over 20 minutes remaining Bangor had appeals for a penalty waved away as the officials ruled in favour of Odhran McCart for a challenge on Ferguson in the area.
Coral Quinn made a timely intervention when he cut out a pass intended for Arthurs in a dangerous position, before in the first minute of stoppage time the number nine’s far-post header was stopped on the line by Connor Maxwell to ensure that it finished with a point apiece.
Bangor: Taylor, Neale, Owens, Harrison (C) Arthurs, Cushnie, McArthur, Bradley, Garrett, S. McGuinness, C. McGuinness.
Substitutes: Mulvenna (McArthur 34), Ferguson (Cushnie 60), Mathieson (S. McGuinness 79). Not used: Ovendale, Reid, Halliday, Byers.
Booked: Bradley, C. McGuinness
Sent off: Garrett
Ards: Moore, Arthur, E. Scannell, Cafolla (C), McCart, Simpson, Steele, C. Scannell, Deane, Newell, Quinn.
Substitutes: Maxwell (Deane 60), Greer (McCart 71). Not used: Matthews, Dobbin, Tipton, Alfred, Calderwood.
Booked: Deane
