Youthful 'Stute lose opener

THIS wasn't the ideal start Institute wanted but for the young side it certainly will be a learning experience.

The Waterside men had their chances at crucial stages of Saturday's opening game of the season at Bangor.

John Gregg's side had a golden chance to break the deadlock as early as the fifth minute following a goalkeeping error by Graham McKibben.

The net-minder rushed off his line but his attempted clearance fell straight to Matthew Smyth, but the youngster's right footed first time shot from nearly 30 yards, towards the unguarded net, clipped the top of the bar.

'Stute, who had eight players under 19 years of age in their starting line-up, continued to push forward and went close again on 11 minutes when Smyth's centre found Conor Lynch, but the midfielder's close range header hit the side netting.

With virtually their first attack of the game the Seasiders were denied the lead on 33 minutes.

Andy Long's clever pass released Barry Bloomer, but the alert Ryan rushed off his line to save at the striker's feet.

The deadlock was broken four minutes later when Bowers' pass found Rory Hamill, who easily side stepped Gareth Smith before with his weaker left foot the ex-Glentoran striker drilled the ball past Ryan.

Bangor doubled their lead on 42 minutes after some slack defending by 'Stute. Glen Bowers' right wing centre was flicked on by Bloomer and the unmarked Garth Scates calmly side footed home from close range.

Institute had a great opportunity to pull one back just before the break when Conor Deane's pass released Joe McCready, but with only McKibben to beat his attempted lob over the out-rushing keeper, flew well over.

Any hopes of a 'Stute come-back was abruptly ended inside the first minute after the break.

An inch perfect cross from Hamill caught out Graham Crown and found an unmarked Bloomer, who made no mistake powering his header past a full stretched Ryan.

To their credit the Drumahoe men never gave up and on 53 minutes Joe McCready was unlucky not to score when his snap-shot was superbly tipped around the post by the alert McKibben.

Just after the hour mark a fantastically struck 25 yard free-kick from Bowers was easily gathered by Ryan.

The final chance of the match saw the Waterside men nearly score a deserved consolation goal, but Conor Deane's long range drive was superbly tipped over the bar by a full stretched McKibben.

Bangor: McKibben, Long, Watterson, Youle, Murray, Scates, Dunlop, G Bowers, Bloomer, Hamill, J Bowers. Subs: Mann for Bowers (65); Stirling for Hamill (74); Girvan, Williamson & Cairnduff (not used).

Institute: Ryan, Blackburn, Crown, G Smith, McShane, Ogilby, M Smyth, Lynch, McCready, Harkin, Deane. Subs: Faulkner for Harkin (59); Allen for McCready (68); McClements for Smyth (73); Anderson & Beattie (not used).

Referee: Mr Stephen Weatherall (Belfast).

Cautioned: Murray (83).