PLAYR-FIT CHAMPIONSHIP
NEWRY CITY 4
Honney ‘8, ‘36, McCaffrey ‘46, Carroll ‘75
BANGOR 5
Ferguson ‘5, ‘47, Harrison ‘22, Owens ‘55, Cushnie ‘79
AN INCREDIBLE nine-goal thriller played out at the Newry Showgrounds last Friday night, with the Seasiders coming out on top of a chaotic battle.
Defensive stability was not on display from either side as the goals flowed in this enthralling Championship encounter.
It took just 30 seconds for a sign of what was to come when Kyle Owens’ sliced clearance looped over the stranded Evan Ovendale. The Welshman, making his league debut for the Seasiders, had to scurry back to his goal line to push the ball over his crossbar to spare Bangor’s blushes.
But it took just five minutes for the first goal to arrive as the in-form Matthew Ferguson raced past a static Newry City defence to finish off Caomhan McGuinness’ through pass, leaving goalkeeper Conor Mitchell helpless.
That lead lasted only two minutes though as the home side hit back. The Seasiders didn’t deal with a long ball forward and when Steven Ball delivered the loose ball low across the face of goal, Dualta Honney was well positioned to poke home.
The game was end to end and Bangor retook the lead with 22 minutes played. A proper goalmouth scramble ensued when Newry couldn’t clear their lines from Reece Neale’s corner and Kyle Owens showed composure to tee up Stephen McGuinness whose shot from the edge of the area ricocheted off Lewis Harrison and past the wrong footed Mitchell.
The game briefly settled but Bangor couldn’t hold onto their lead for long as Honney was left unmarked in the penalty area to get the better of Ovendale with his close range header after 36 minutes.
Half-time brought about the only period of calm, and within a minute of the restart the home side had got their noses in front for the first time. Francis McCaffrey blasted home from point blank range after good work from Lorcan Forde left the 31 year-old with an easy finish.
In keeping with what had gone on before, Bangor hit back immediately. Half-time substitute Ben Arthurs linked up well with Harrison and the Bangor skipper slipped Matthew Ferguson through on goal. The striker was clinical as he netted his seventh goal of the league campaign to level the scores.
By the 55th minute Bangor were back in front. This time Arthurs and Tiarnan Mulvenna combined on the left and Mulvenna’s inch-perfect cross was powerfully headed home by Kyle Owens.
While Mulvenna and substitute Ben Cushnie went close for a more dominant Bangor side after the break it was Newry who struck next as Adam Carroll connected with a deep cross to slam home at the near post with 15 minutes left to play.
The ninth, and decisive, goal arrived after 79 minutes. Harrison and Caomhan McGuinness cut open the Newry defence on the right hand side allowing McGuinness to cut the ball back to Cushnie. While his initial effort was blocked, the former Glentoran man showed awareness to follow up and bundle home from close range.
Despite some late pressure from the home side, Bangor showed some resolve to defend their lead and hang on to a remarkable three points.
–
Substitutes: Arthurs (McArthur 46), Cushnie (Ferguson 66), Bradley (Garrett 85).
Not used: Taylor, Mathieson, Davidson, Byers.
Booked: Harrison, Beverland, S McGuinness, Bradley.
Newry City: Mitchell, Healy, Smith, McCaffrey, O’Brien, Forde, Ball (C), Moan, McNickle, Honney, Scullion.
Substitutes: McEnteggart (Smith 10), Carroll (Honney 66), Poynton (Moan 75).
Not used: McStay, Foster, Mooney, Coleman.
Booked: Healy
Referee: Glenn Buchanan
