’Stute see off Seasiders

Paul Kee’s side became the first team this season to defeat Bangor on their own patch, in fact ’Stute became the first side this campaign to get anything from Clandeboye Park as the Seasiders had before Saturday won every game on their new 3G surface.

The Drumahoe men saw off Garth Scates side, who in fairness let their frustration boil over as they lost their discipline in the second half with Stephen O’Neill and ex-Institute man Thomas Wray both deservedly getting sent-off.

The visitors broke the deadlock after just 10 minutes when that man Stephen O’Flynn capitalised on a defensive mistake.

The in-front striker chased down a nothing ball and just as experienced defender Colin Nixon tried to shepherded the ball back to goalkeeper Darren Gibbons, the Cork man nipped in won possession and turned the ball into the unguarded net.

Minutes later O’Flynn had a glorious chance to double ’Stute’s advantage this time the front man raced clear of the visitors defence to latch onto Aaron Walsh’s flick, but with Gibbons in no man’s land, the front man’s attempt chip from just outside the box flew well over the bar.

Another slick move by the Drumahoe men created another opening, when Michael McCrudden fed Stephen Parkhouse but his chip from the edge of the box, like O’Flynn’s flew well over the bar.

Bangor had a half chance on 25 minutes but Stevie O’Neill failed to get his head on Grant Gardiner’s super left wing cross.

Right on the stroke of half-time Institute missed a glorious chance to double their lead when substitute Ryan Semple’s right wing cross fell to Parkhouse, who after chesting the ball down, blasted high over from eight yards.

The home side were denied an equaliser by the woodwork on 54 minutes when Gardiner’s super left footed free-kick from 25 yards, which had Institute keeper Michael Doherty beaten, rattled the bar.

Soon after Bangor continued to pile on the pressure and they had another super chance when Barry Walsh’s clever pass found Tommy Lambe but the substitute’s shot on the turn from 10 yards was straight at Doherty.

Bangor were rightfully reduced to ten men on 71 minutes after referee Keith Kennedy showed a straight red card to O’Neill after he stupidly kicked out at John Curran.

After the home side were reduced to ten men they never really threatened, in fact it was the visitor’s who missed a few chances in the closing stages when their final ball on the counter-attack let them down.

The game was effectively over when Wray picked up two yellow cards followed by a red card after a pair of rash challenges on McCrudden incredibly in the space of just a minute.

Bangor: Gibbons, Wray, Hylands, Youle, Nixon, Walsh, Forsythe (Lambe 40), Molly, Boylan (Hall 24), O’Neill, Gardiner. Subs: Cooling, Long & Whitford (not used).

Institute: Doherty, Crown, P McLaughlin, Curran, C McLaughlin (Semple 35); McCauley, Henderson, Walsh, McCrudden, Parkhouse, O’Flynn (Curry H-T). Subs: O’Donnell, Varma & Gallagher (not used).

Referee: Mr Keith Kennedy (Lisburn).