PLAYR-FIT CHAMPIONSHIP
BALLINAMALLARD UNITED 4
Barker (‘8, ‘34), McIlwaine (‘71), Stewart (‘76)
BANGOR 0
BANGOR endured a difficult day in County Fermanagh on Saturday afternoon, suffering a heavy defeat at the hands of Ballinamallard United.
The high flying Seasiders had recorded six straight victories leading into Saturday’s match but two goals in each half for the home side brought Bangor back down to earth with a bump.
While an off-colour Bangor got everything their performance deserved on Saturday, there was no sign of what was to come during the opening exchanges at Ferney Park.
Kielan Reid, replacing the injured Reece Neale in defence, picked out Matthew Ferguson after three minutes but the striker’s looping header landed on the roof of the net as home keeper Joel Little watched on.
But just five minutes later Bangor were behind. A searching free kick into the Bangor penalty was headed into the path of the unmarked Daniel Barker who coolly slotted past James Taylor from ten yards.
Bangor almost had an instant response as they came close to levelling the scores. This time Ben Arthurs was the provider for his strike partner with a low cross, but the stretching Ferguson couldn’t get the direction to his effort as the ball looped up over the crossbar.
Then after ten minutes, a double save from Little denied Bangor. The Mallards stopper got down to his right to push away Tiaran Mulvenna’s 25-yard free kick before using his feet to keep out Stephen McGuinness’ follow-up at his near post.
That was as good as it got for Bangor as the home side began to seize control and stretch the Seasiders, and when the visitors couldn’t clear the danger after 36 minutes they found themselves two goals behind as Barker punished a number of missed tackles with a stunning effort sent curling into the top corner from 20 yards.
Taylor was the busier keeper and he had to be alert to keep out Josh McIlwaine’s clever flick and Jamie Dunne’s effort from distance.
Lee Feeney changed shape and personnel at half time in an effort to get a response from his side, and substitute Scott McArthur could have reduced the deficit after 54 minutes. Instead, after collecting Arthurs’ pass inside the penalty area, McArthur shot tamely at Little who gathered low to his left.
While Taylor flew to his left to keep out Barker from range, Arthurs himself bundled through the Ballinamallard defence but as he tried to round Little the danger was snuffed out and Ferguson’s follow-up effort was blocked by a determined home side.
Mark Stafford’s men had played with a high intensity throughout and they got their just rewards with their third goal when McIlwaine, lying on the ground following a goalmouth scramble, hooked the ball into the far corner to stun the Seasiders.
Bangor’s miserable afternoon was rounded off when Darragh Stewart was able to breeze past the visitors backline to slam home past the helpless Taylor and complete a much deserved victory for the Mallards.
Bangor: Taylor, Beverland, Owens, Reid (‘46 McArthur), Bradley (‘69 Mathieson), Mulvenna, Garrett, Harrison (‘69 Rea), S McGuinness, Arthurs, Ferguson. Subs not used: Ovendale, Davidson, Byers, Redford
Booked: S McGuinness
Ballinamallard Utd: Little, Morris, Corrigan, Maguire (‘12 McGrath), McIlwaine, Stewart (‘86 O’Grady), Dunne (‘81 Warrington), Sherry, Barker, Edgar, McAteer (‘86 Boyle). Subs not used: Brown, Armstrong, Campbell.
Booked: Edgar, Corrigan, Stewart
