Bangor face title challengers

BANGOR face a stern test when they play host to championship hopefuls Donegal Celtic tomorrow (Friday).

Bangor last played Celtic on Sunday, October 4, at Suffolk Park, and the Seasiders are still smarting from that game when they lost by the odd goal in three to a penalty in added time at the end of the match - a result which robbed the Seasiders of a valuable away point.

We can expect a similarly hard-fought match tomorrow evening. Players to keep an eye on are Celtic´s in-form striker Stephen O’Neill who has scored nine league goals to date, Ciaran Gargan has scored eight, while Paul McVeigh has notched up seven in the championship. Look out as well for former Bangor defenders Jim McMenamin and Andy Cleary along with ex-Linfield midfielder Paul McAreavey.

Last Saturday Bangor continued their unbeaten run with a stylish 3-1 away victory over Coagh United.

That means that Colin McCurdy’s troops have won three and drawn one match since their last defeat and with 10 points in four games , they now find themselves in sixth place in the Championship 1 table with 23 points from 15 games.

With two players making their debuts for Bangor, midfielder Chris Kingsberry and goalkeeper Paul Cairnduff, the Seasiders took a while to find their blend but they deservedly took the lead midway through the first half through leading scorer Glen Upton from a low cross by skipper Andy Morrow. 

Just over three minutes after the break the home side equalised with a fine free kick goal from full back Aaron Thornton. However, it was Bangor who then upped their game and took a firm grip on the game to score through winger Andy Rosbotham on 62 minutes and a rocket shot into the top left hand corner on 71 minutes from Andy Morrow.

Colin McCurdy: "This was an excellent performance and a very good result. We controlled most of the game and the team showed great spirit. I think we have added some good quality players to the squad in the last few weeks, and that is starting to show on the pitch.