By Daniel Noble
Bangor FC 2 Newington 1
BANGOR FC made it two wins from two in pre-season when they came from behind to beat NIFL Championship side Newington at Clandeboye Park on Saturday.
The Seasiders dominating on the possession front, but they failed to find an opening in the first 45 minutes and appeared vulnerable to counter-attacks – something the visitors exploited by opening the scoring through Keelan McBride.
Home manager Lee Feeney made changes at the break, and it was new signing Steven McCullough who made an instant impact, levelling with a spectacular free-kick on his debut, before young Blake Matier completed the comeback with the eventual winner.
It was one-way traffic from the off, with Bangor placing a proverbial stranglehold on the ball, relentlessly driving at their opponents, who were parked on the edge of their box for much of the opening encounters.
However, with the home side failing to produce the killer ball, the first standout chance of the game did not arrive until the 16th minute, when Lewis Francis connected with Ben Cushnie’s corner and forced the goalkeeper to make a superb diving save.
Shooting opportunities continued to come at a premium as the half wore on, with Newington next to threaten an opener, but not until a further seven minutes had passed.
Paul Donnelly whipped a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area and Jay Donnelly took it first time on the bounce, firing straight at ‘keeper Lawton McMahon.
Despite the visitors’ lack of possession, Jay Donnelly looked the most likely source of an opener. He received the ball on the edge of the box, set himself and curled goalward, calling the sprawling Lawton into action for a second time in quick succession.
As clear-cut chances continued to evade the hosts, Newington eventually forced the goal they had threatened for the best part of 20 minutes.
Seamus Duffy’s cross was delivered to the back post, where Paul Donnelly was waiting to knock it down, into the path of McBride, who made no mistake inside the six-yard box.
Surprisingly, the Swans immediately went in search of a second, seeking to strengthen their advantage in the run-up to half-time, and they thought they had done so when Jay Donnelly latched on to a through ball and dinked McMahon, but the offside flag went up.
The rejigged Bangor team was a whole different beast for Newington to contend with in the second period, with the introduction of Iestan Hughes, Matier and McCullough transforming the home side.
Putting the first 45 minutes behind them, the Seasiders only needed 10 minutes to level matters, and they did so in style.
Debutant McCullough took control of a dead ball that looked more like a crossing opportunity, given the tight angle, but he stepped up and dispatched a thunderous, curling effort into the top corner.
The equaliser was the catalyst for change, as Feeney’s men completely turned the tide and put their opponents severely under the cosh, having to stave off wave after wave of attack.
A set-piece would once again prove pivotal, in the 72nd minute, when Cushnie’s delivery was knocked down in the box and finished off by Matier, who could hardly miss.
Newington thought they had fired back with a dazzling free-kick attempt of their own, with Joseph Tully taking aim from around 25 yards out and rattling the upright.
Bangor had been saved by the woodwork, and they used their good fortune as the impetus to put the game to bed. However, Matier was denied a brace my the feet of the ‘keeper and launched over the crossbar with the final shot of the day.
They perhaps would have preferred a more comfortable afternoon, but the hosts got the job done, gave a strong mix of players a run-out and got more minutes in the legs in preparation for another Irish Premiership season.
Next up, Bangor FC make the trip to play Queen’s University at the Dub on Saturday, before battling it out with rivals Ards at Clandeboye Park on Wednesday.
Bangor FC: L McMahon, L Hassin, B Cushnie, L McRoberts, J O’Mahony, H Lynch, L Francis, R Ferguson, J Ritchie, S McGuiness, Trialist. Subs: A Mitchell, I Hughes, O Devlin, T Mulvenna, Trialist, S McCullough, J Boyd, B Matier.
