PLAYR-FIT CHAMPIONSHIP
LIMAVADY UNITED 0
BANGOR 3
Garrett 19’, T. Boorman (OG) 53’, Ferguson 76’
BANGOR opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Championship after a brilliant performance at the Limavady Showgrounds on Tuesday night.
Paul Owens’ side have been flying high after their promotion to the Championship and sat six points behind Bangor before kick-off and the home side could have taken an early lead but Lewis Tosh wastefully blazed high over the bar when in space 12 yards from goal.
Bangor were well organised in their approach and frustrated the Roesiders who were unable to capitalise on their dominance in possession, often resorting to hopeful balls forward that the Seasiders dealt capably with.
While goalkeeper Richard Purcell was able to hold Ben Arthurs’ header from Tiarnan Mulvenna’s 16th-minute corner, the 23 year-old was powerless to deny Robbie Garrett’s opening goal three minutes later.
The former Linfield midfielder pounced on the edge of the box to sweetly strike through a crowd of bodies for his first goal in Bangor colours after Reece Neale’s throw-in had only been half cleared.
Garrett dominated the midfield and he almost grabbed his second when his powerful run forward resulted in a stinging shot that Purcell had to deal with high to his left.
John Butcher had a sight of Bangor’s goal after 37 minutes but his shot was straight at James Taylor. While Taylor was able to comfortably gather, his counterpart in the Limavady United goals was at full stretch just before half-time to deny Matthew Ferguson from finding the bottom corner.
Bangor were in no mood to let up and Kyle Owens’ presence at the back post forced Tiarnan Boorman to power a header into his own goal from Reece Neale’s corner just eight minutes after the restart.
Lewis Harrison was next to sting the palms of Purcell after good work by Ben Arthurs but the ‘keeper was left exposed as Matthew Ferguson added Bangor’s third goal of the night.
An unfortunate slip from Luke McKendry inside his own penalty area allowed Matthew Ferguson to advance on goal and the Championship’s top scorer clinically fired past the helpless Purcell.
Bangor’s night could have got better nine minutes from time, but substitute Sonny Redford rushed his shot allowing Purcell to easily hold the teenager’s effort.
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Substitutes: Redford (Ferguson 78), Mathieson (Arthurs 83), Cushnie (Mulvenna 83), Byers (Garrett 87). Not used: Fry, Beverland, Davidson.
Limavady Utd: Purcell, T Boorman (‘56 Martin), Lowry (C), Tosh, Crown (‘27 McKendry), McCloskey (‘56 McCready), R Boorman (‘84 Parkhill), Butcher, McCrudden (‘84 Whiteside), Mullan, Walker. Subs not used: McAuley, Leighton.
