Six third-tier teams entered the second round of the Irish Cup. An upset-laden first round indicated that more shocks and surprises could perhaps have been on the horizon, however all six who entered their ties secured safe passage to the next stage of Irish football’s oldest cup competition.
That included Bangor, who soundly saw Strabane Athletic off in a strong performance at Clandeboye Park on Saturday. The Seasiders, after two without victory, needed a swift return to winning ways with tricky tests to come – no less a titanic clash of table-toppers this weekend coming – and they did so with style and substance.
Manager Lee Feeney has been keen to use the past couple of weeks as an opportunity to rotate his team and build minutes in the tank for his squad.
He made a further four changes to his starting panel from the heavy home League Cup loss to Annagh United last Tuesday.
In entered returnee captain Lewis Harrison, Ben Arthurs, Karl Devine and David Hume to the team. The starting midfield double-act in mid-week, Dylan O’Kane and Aaron Harris, dropped to the bench, while Reece Neale and Ryley D’Sena were rested from the matchday 18 for this fixture.
Feeney also made a minor shape adjustment, as a strike-pair of Jordan Hughes and Ben Arthurs – the first time these two have started together this term – lined out in front of attacking midfielder Tom Mathieson. Jamie Glover was deployed from left wingback such is his versatility, while Seanna Foster’s third start in four matches since joining on loan from Cliftonville came opposite him. A 3-4-1-2, all told.
Kick-off on an overcast afternoon was somewhat delayed, as the Yellows got the ball rolling four minutes after the scheduled 1:30pm start time.
However, that lost span was very swiftly made up by the hosts thanks to early danger in chance-creation. After five minutes, a right-sided corner was whipped in by Hughes, and while not a common flag-kick taker his inswinging and direct delivery almost caught Strabane shot-stopper Jack Boggs off-guard as it dipped just wide of the bottom left corner.
On 10 minutes, Hughes made sure Boggs knew all about him. An under-strength back-pass was pounced on by the former Dundela ace, placing himself one on one with the goalkeeper and his cushioned left-footed sidefooter found the bottom left corner. A side who have shown a knack of taking early leads this season, the Seasiders repeated the feat in this tie.
It was Hughes’ first goal of the new season, and first since a 1-1 draw in early April against Limavady United. After his spot-kick woe against Cliftonville a fortnight ago, the conviction and confidence with which he converted this attempt was a delight to see. It would not end at this, either.
It took just five minutes for that lead to be doubled. A contested punch by Boggs as Arthurs tried to head in at the back-post fell to Mathieson – starting for a third match in a row – and the rest was all him.
A dazzling display of footwork and close-control by the summer signing allowed him to cut inside and shape his shot. He unleashed a right-footed curler beyond Boggs’ helpless dive, the right amount of placement and power to bustle the back of the Strabane net.
It was a delightful way for the ex-Ballyclare Comrades and Dundela man to score his first for the club, coming in from the left side of the 18-yard box and picking his spot like a dead-eye to extend Bangor’s advantage to two.
The pressure kept piling towards the Clandeboye Road end. On 24 minutes, the visitors had Boggs to thank as a stellar one-handed tip over the crossbar prevented Hughes’ cleanly-struck 25-yard free kick finding the top right. The keeper was on similar form two minutes later when Arthurs saw his fierce header by the right-hand post pushed over.
On 36 minutes, it was Boggs’ turn to express gratitude as his defence’s anticipation saved a certain goal. Another deep corner from Hughes found Ryan Arthur at the back-stick, and the centre back in pursuit of his third goal of the season was within inches of reaching that tally. The goalkeeper was well-beaten but Arthur – whose stated intent is double-digits in goals this term – had his net-bound header hoofed off the line by a back-tracking man in blue and white.
Confidence was brewing and abound when referee Mark Jones blew for half time. 2-0 the score read, but Bangor were not intent to rest on that.
Mathieson verged on untouchable. Glover left opponents chasing his heels. The strikers picked up spaces the away defence could not mark or track.
All while giving rather little away at the other end, save for the odd corner here and there.
And when the second half restarted – Strabane, who next play Dergview in the North West Cup last-eight, having made two switches during the interval where Feeney kept all his starters in action – a let-up did not come.
A warning shot was posed by Devine on 51 minutes as his right-footed effort from range was tipped round his right-hand post by Boggs, but the visitors’ number one could do nothing five minutes later when the Seasiders added their third.
It was a typically industrious display from Foster and you can sense the Premiership pedigree in his play. His blend of tempo and technique in passing the ball assuredly adds quality, and he was often looked to as a leading supplier of crosses. He delivered a dime from the right to find Arthurs by the near post, who headed home uncontested into the bottom right to treble the hosts’ lead.
Foster had a decent shot himself on his weaker foot which was blocked on 60 minutes, and on 64 minutes Hughes – whose run-making was a thorn in the side all game – called the impressive Boggs into action once more to deny him his second of the match. He had done well to stave off pressure on his right shoulder to get the shot away but the angle was closed down and his low bottom-left shot was palmed out.
Feeney made a 66th-minute triple-sub, albeit not at the detriment of attacking impetus. Off came Hughes, Arthurs and Mathieson to be replaced virtually like for like by Ethan Boylan, Ross Craig and Scott McArthur.
The latter did not dither in making his presence felt. A low effort by the summer returnee was again dealt with by Boggs on 69 minutes, before the long-serving Boylan placed Foster’s lay-off high over the bar as Bangor pushed for a fourth. On 77 minutes, McArthur produced a shot that Boggs – or perhaps any keeper on these shores – was unable to save.
He received, he twisted, he turned and he finished. The ex-Stirling University man, who faced up to the challenges of Celtic and Rangers’ ‘B’ teams with aplomb in his time in Scotland, struck a 25-yard curler straight into the top right corner. An attempt that personified placement for his first goal since scoring the second of eight at Greenisland in the second match of the season.
He has been keen to add more goals to his game. The quality of press and the creativity he offers are ever-rising but up to now the finishing touch has been a little lacking.
Ruthlessness in front of goal has been reiterated as something Feeney would like to see improve. This is a means to go on for McArthur for sure.
There were no more real major chances until the end, and the Seasiders saw out to the end a seventh clean sheet in eight games. 4-0 the score finished on the final few peeps of Jones’ whistle to signal the end of the tie. Bangor’s progression to the third round of the competition – opponents to be confirmed – was secured in a confident and highly convincing manner.
| Other results | Irish Cup 2R (select ties) | ||
| Ballymacash Rangers | 10 | 0 | Bryansburn Rangers |
| Banbridge Town | 4 | 1 | Fivemiletown United |
| Belfast Celtic | 6 | 1 | Maiden City |
| Lisburn Rangers | 1 | 4 | Dollingstown |
| Moyola Park | 1 | 0 | Abbey Villa |
| Orangefield O.B. | 1 | 5 | Limavady United |
| Wakehurst | 3 | 2 | Albert Foundry |
Post-match, Mathieson was pleased that the Yellows had kept their Irish Cup adventure alive in professional style.
“Yeah, it’s good to return to winning ways,” reflected the Bangor native. “It’s the biggest cup in the country and you want to do well in it.
“We’ll try to string together a good wee cup run and see who we get.”
He was also happy to contribute to the day’s proceedings with a stunning first goal, as well as seeing out the tie without really letting the grip loose.
“Yeah it was a good goal, good strike, good to get my first for the club and great performance all-round,” he added.
The third round draw is usually made around the turn of September to October, with the ties played at the end of October or start of November.
There is much still to be decided in that span, no less with a clash of perfect records at the Bluebell Stadium in Lisburn this Saturday 24th September, where the Seasiders travel inland to face high-flying new boys Ballymacash Rangers. They stuck 10 unresponded past Bryansburn in their concurrent Irish Cup tie.
Progression in another cup is safe now at least. It was needed for the purpose of stringing together a new run of momentum which the team will hope to continue in a big game at the Cash.
Elsewhere, it was another successful weekend for Bangor’s youth teams. A Scott Atchison hat-trick put the exclamation mark on a 1-6 win for the Reserves over Kircubbin in the Junior Cup first round on Saturday, while Ruairi Wright’s brace means he has scored in successive matches having also hit the target in the side’s 4-1 league opener against Newington. Ross Ferguson delivered his first goal for the Under-20s this season to complete the rout, and in a season where expectations are high, the team is certainly delivering in their performances early on.
There was joy among the Under-18s, as Isaac Caldwell’s team defeated Aquinas 3-1, while the Under-17s drew 1-1 with Dundela. The Under-15s ran out 5-0 winners over Barn United and the Under-14s were victorious 5-3 over Cliftonville. Both the Under-13 NL and SBYL sides beat equivalent Crusaders teams, while the Under-12s settled for a goalless draw at home to their equal Cliftonville side.
Meanwhile, Bangor are pleased to finally confirm the signing of striker Adam Neale from Rathfriland Rangers – the older brother of Seasiders left back, vice-captain and fan favourite Reece.
A deal where officialisation had been delayed pending clearance from the IFA Player Status Committee, the 29-year-old scored 40 for Rathfriland last season as he helped them to Intermediate Cup and Amateur League success. The player was a trialist for the club in pre-season and has ultimately made the decision to join the Yellows. He is welcomed warmly, his trial displays caught the eye and hopes are high that he can translate his scoring exploits to the Irish League.
The club can also proudly announce a two-year partnership with local business McGimpsey Removals, seeing them now principally sponsor the club’s academy teams – including as the main shirt sponsor, which they have already been in the early part of the season.
“The sponsorship deal with McGimpsey Removals is a major coup for the Bangor FC Academy,” explained Bangor vice chairman Jim Russell.
“We are delighted to secure the support of such a high-profile company with well-established links in the city.
“McGimpsey Removals share Bangor FC’s value of community involvement and we look forward to working together with them over the course of the next two seasons. Their sponsorship will help support the development of young players from the community, so they can fulfil their potential and play senior football for their local football club.”
McGimpsey Removals managing director Melissa Gibbons added: “We’re proud to be sponsoring the Bangor FC Academy for the next two seasons. It’s great to be so closely involved with the local community.
“Sponsoring grassroots football is vitally important because it provides so many benefits to young people. From fitness to social skills and learning to be part of a team, involvement in academy football offers up a number of life lessons to young people that will serve them as they mature into adults.
“Partnership and community involvement are extremely important to McGimpsey Removals and we look forward to working alongside Bangor FC and seeing them succeed.”
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