PLAYR-FIT CHAMPIONSHIP
Bangor 2
Ferguson 17′, 57′
H&W Welders 2
S. O’Kane 55′, Mearns 82′
BANGOR had to settle for a point from Friday night’s season opener against H&W Welders.
In front of just over 700 supporters at Clandeboye Park, the Seasiders and the Welders battled hard but it was Bangor who were left most disappointed after twice giving up a lead.
Summer signing Matthew Ferguson had twice given his side the lead only to see the visitors fight back, with Lewis Mearns salvaging a late point for the Welders after capitalising on a goalkeeping mistake.
With both sides full of optimism heading into a new campaign, it was Paul Kee’s side who settled quickest as they found an early rhythm with Ronan Wilson going close with his volleyed effort after just six minutes.
But it was Bangor who struck first. Scott McArthur raced clear in search of Reece Neale’s pass, and from the left wing McArthur picked out the unmarked Ferguson at the back post. The striker’s initial header was well blocked by Jack Mills, but the former Welders man opened his account for his new side by pouncing on the rebound.
Ferguson could have had a quick fire double when he latched on to a downward header from Ben Arthurs, but the 28 year-old was off balance and directed his close range effort over the bar.
While Tiarnan O’Connor stung the palms of James Taylor from distance, it was Bangor who carved out the clearest openings.
Having been frustrated by the Welders’ offside trap, Arthurs timed his run well to race through on goal. Welders ’keeper Mills stood tall and Arthurs blasted the ball against the shot stopper as the Seasiders passed up a glorious chance to double their lead just before half-time.
While Ferguson was off target with a header just after the restart, Sean O’Kane found the target with his head at the other end of the pitch. David Parkhouse’s long throw-in reached the penalty spot where O’Kane was positioned to send his headed effort in off the post.
Bangor’s response was almost immediate. A Tiarnan Mulvenna corner was headed goalwards by Kyle Owens and the alert Ferguson was on hand to glance the ball past the helpless Mills from close range.
Substitute Tom Mathieson forced Mills into a fine save low to his left as he pushed a dipping volley round the post with 25 minutes remaining, but it was the Welders who began to seize more control as time wore on.
Bangor largely contained the visitors’ attacking threat and restricted them to long range efforts, but it was a free kick from distance that led to the leveller. O’Connor struck his 25-yard free kick low past the Bangor wall, the ball was spilled by Taylor as he tried to gather and the grateful Mearns did the rest as he knocked home from close range.
With 87 minutes played Caomhan McGuinness could have announced himself in style after his summer move from Ballyclare Comrades, but the wing-back blasted his effort straight at Mills with only the ’keeper to beat.
Then, deep into injury time, substitute Ben Cushnie looked like he had won the game for Bangor but after squeezing the ball past the on-rushing Mills, Cushnie could only watch on as the impressive Lewis Patterson recovered to hook clear on the goal line.
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Graphic
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Substitutes: Bradley (Harrison, 84); Mathieson (Davidson, 62); Cushnie (McArthur, 75).
Not used: Orbinson, Beattie, Walker, Reid.
H&W Welders: Mills, Patterson, McCarthy, D. O’Kane (‘76 Doyle), Parkhouse (‘65 Mearns), Kee, O’Connor, McAleenan, S. O’Kane (‘89 McCloskey), McCoubrey, Wilson.
Substitutes: Mearns (Parkhouse, 65; Doyle (D. O’Kane, 76); McCloskey (S. O’Kane, 89).
Not used: O. O’Kane, Harris, Agnew, Farren.
Referee: Michael McKenna
