The swirl of emotions upon hearing the full-time (after extra-time) whistle on Tuesday night was a whirlwind. Pride at taking a top dog in the BetMcLean Cup the full mile, but disappointment at not being able to mark such spirit with the craved result; it is a fine line to toe. But one thing is for sure – performances of that ilk show the heart and character of a collective group and, it is hoped, serve as further learning for the trials of tomorrow.
That’s exactly what Lee Feeney and his Bangor battlers will be aspiring for as the setting returns to the league front this weekend. A committed account against Coleraine, Finalists in each of the last three editions of the competition, was also backed by the resilience to respond to conceding late by scoring even later. 120 minutes on a nearly 150-mile-round journey on a Tuesday night is unenviable… but here, we can make an exception.
Bangor to Coleraine and back on a Tuesday night.
Hell, the things you do for your football club.
The Seasiders’ travelling faithful embarked north to tackle the Bannsiders in the BetMcLean Cup in midweek, perhaps more in hope than in expectation that a stunning early knock-out blow could be dished out on Ballycastle Road.
There was also the aspiration that it could be settled in the regulation 90 minutes; after all, it is a 150-mile-round journey on a weekday.
Well, as we know now, that bit didn’t quite go to plan. The saving graces upon entering the ground were the Showgrounds pitch’s pristine condition and that not a drip of rain could be detected.
Unlike Dergview, any storm would solely be confined to the artificial playing surface.
Lee Feeney made five alterations from that 2-1 defeat at Darragh Park three days prior – and a slight change in system accompanied them.
Starting line-up:
There was a change in shape and five alterations in personnel in the Bangor line-up that faced Coleraine. Ben Cushnie, Karl Devine, Jack Henderson, James Taylor and Ben Walker took the places of Ben Arthurs, Dylan O’Kane, Scott McArthur, Marc Orbinson and David Hume in the selection.
The standard back-three was reprised, but a flatter midfield three was preferred behind the two-pronged frontline.
Captain Lewis Harrison was partnered with Jack Henderson and Karl Devine as a trio – the latter was making his first competitive start since mid-February – with Dylan O’Kane dropping to the bench and, as part of the sacrifice of an attacking midfielder, Scott McArthur joining him.
Top goalscorer Ben Arthurs dropped out of the starting line-up for the first time this term, as his namesake Ben Cushnie was preferred alongside Adam Neale to lead the line. First-choice shot-stopper James Taylor, who was unavailable for that lengthy Castlederg foray, returned in place of Marc Orbinson, while Reece Neale occupied David Hume’s usual left-sided centre-back berth with Ben Walker rising up to operate at left wing-back.
Stat attack:
The average age of the starting line-up that featured against Coleraine again followed a theme of youth, aged merely 24.5.
The Neale siblings, Harrison, Lewis Francis, Seanna Foster and Sean Brown were the half a dozen to reprise their starting berths from the Tyrone trip, but it was telling that no areas felt under-strength.
It speaks to the internal confidence in the playing camp, as well as the supporters’ belief.
Substitutes:
Among a seven-strong substitutes panel were four of the five to drop out of the side that began Saturday’s contest against Dergview, with Michael Halliday, Tom Mathieson and Jordan Hughes each offering attacking firepower.
Coleraine, meanwhile, were taking no chances.
After a chastening week that saw them ship nine without reply to Cliftonville and Coleraine, boss Oran Kearney unleashed his big guns – Matthew Shevlin flanked up top by fleet-footed wingers Conor McKendry and Andy Scott, that trident leading a 4-3-3 that also included Lee Lynch, Jarvis cousins Aaron and Dean, Josh Carson and Lyndon Kane.
Their recent history in this competition is proud. The team they lined out for this encounter most definitely reflected that.
Declan Hassan led both sets of players out – split by a division but equally eager to shine.
And to Bangor’s absolute credit, they held their own.
On 10 minutes, the first Coleraine look at Taylor’s goal arose. McKendry, a diminutive forward who, on top form, can glide by defenders like they are not there, danced around a handful of Bangor challenges before letting fly, but Francis got his body right behind the ball and made a commanding block.
Three minutes later, it was Gallagher who had to be on guard; Brown’s floated diagonal so nearly to a tee for Adam Neale to prod goalwards, but the Bannsiders stopper used his feet to swat the ball away from danger.
The first shot on target of the match emerged on 22 minutes.
Shevlin, the Premiership’s 23-goal Golden Boot winner last term, was not to find fate smiling on him here as his chested attempt was well-held by Taylor. The veteran goalkeeper used his fists four minutes later to beat away a Kane cross before the 24-year-old marksman could connect from close range.
Between McKendry’s weaving dribbles and Shevlin’s instinctive penalty-box positioning, the Bangor defence could not afford to let their focus lapse for a second. The latter had the kind of opportunity he gobbles up for breakfast most matchdays on 35 minutes, but he placed a six-yard header past the post from Dean Jarvis’ tasty supply after slipping in between Reece Neale and Walker.
After chances were few and far between to start, the hosts – nine-time League Cup Finalists, including in each of the last three iterations – were starting to up the ante. McKendry tested the yellow and blue rear-guard again, but a slew of yellow and blue bodies back meant Taylor was spared a save by a shrewd block.
That was seven minutes from the half’s end. Bangor, from that flashpoint, seared up the other way and won a corner, and Reece Neale’s inswinger forced Gallagher to flap clear; from another set-piece, with one minute of the half to go, Cushnie was the lifesaver.
Once a team-mate of Darren Cole’s both at Glentoran and Dungannon, the 22-year-old was the Scottish defender’s foil this time as, just when Cole was primed to bullet in the deadlock-breaker, Cushnie somehow hooked over the crossbar when practically on his own goalline.
Not the kind of defensive instinct you would expect from someone more used to being in the reverse role, but decisive nonetheless.
Shortly afterwards, Hassan signalled for half-time. The two sides could not be split – and it forced Kearney into action.
Bangor were doing their due diligence, in defence and attack, and it forced Feeney’s opposite number into a two-pronged setup of his own; Davy McDaid replaced Cole.
A striker on, a defender off. No wonder, then, that chances flowed upon the restart.
Just 90 seconds into the new half, Adam Neale spurned a golden opportunity. With the pitch opened up, Harrison picked out the run of Foster, whose low cross snuck through the legs of Graham Kelly and into the Ballynahinch ace; caught unawares, he slotted just wide of goal.
Always on the charge:
A mark of the second half especially was the sheer speed Seanna Foster moved the ball from one end to the other; he played a pivotal role in transition, racing in behind Coleraine’s attack-minded Dean Jarvis and supplying deliveries into the box for Bangor bodies to connect to. Image from Desmond Loughery.
Straight up the other end, McDaid flashed a cross from the right byline only to whizz by the back-post runners hungrily aiming to connect, while Scott curled a low shot on 49 minutes that Taylor clutched with a firm grip.
10 minutes after the break, Henderson – once on the opposite end of a fierce rivalry here given his Ballymena past – cleared the terrace having shaped a shot 20 yards from goal; a few minutes later, Adam Neale plucked out a super low cross by the ever-growing Walker, but his touch was to direct him away from goal rather than towards it. While the decisive intervention was still in waiting, Bangor were not for shying away from making it happen.
The elder Neale was again proving a thorn in the Coleraine defence’s side as, on 62 minutes, he almost took full advantage of Gallagher’s inability to register a two-handed grip on teen Brown’s cross. Three minutes later, after the former Rathfriland punisher was just unable to bury home, McKendry struck sweet as a nut from distance towards the bottom left – but how Taylor stupendously parried clear, turning around the post when the power looked to be taking the former Larne star’s strike in.
Constantly coming of age:
The Bangor backline may have seen three teenagers take to the pitch against Coleraine, but none even looked a smidge fazed by the occasion of facing a full-strength Coleraine team. Sean Brown, both going forward and in defence, did not put a foot wrong all night. Image from Desmond Loughery.
And there was no relent. 69 minutes gone and Foster’s high cross had the hosts panicking; Arthurs and McArthur, like-for-like switches in place of Neale and Cushnie, forced the ball back to Harrison, but Saturday’s goal hero could not shape the shot this time.
The skipper did test Gallagher just six minutes later, though, with a nice turn-and-shot that, while routine for the home stopper to hold, was well worth a pop.
Stat attack:
In seven appearances to date this season, it is remarkable that, when he has been on the pitch, there have been no goals conceded with Karl Devine out there. The Belfast midfielder put in a sterling account against Coleraine.
McKendry skewed a distance attempt wide on 77 minutes before, with 83 gone, the colossal Francis so nearly put the cherry on top of a set-piece routine. He sauntered up from the back in a bid to guide Reece Neale’s long throw home, but a sweet headed connection from this 19-year-old sensation was narrowly over.
On 86 minutes, Taylor produced a scarcely believable save; Dean Jarvis’ wicked shot was flicked on by Coleraine colleague Jack O’Mahony mere yards from goal, but the 39-year-old tipped away in double-quick time to save Bangor.
Saving grace between the sticks:
In the second half, the performance by goalkeeper James Taylor was nothing short of heroic. Making big interventions, strong punches and producing an astonishing reflex save to deny Jack O’Mahony from six yards out were pivotal behind Bangor forcing the tie to 30 minutes of extra-time. Image from Desmond Loughery.
Just 60 seconds later, it was his turn to be saved.
Take a wild guess by who.
Stat attack:
Given the extra-time that was at play here, Lewis Francis became the first Bangor player to pass 1,000 minutes in all competitions. He has not missed a kick this term.
When Shevlin got his head on the ball before an off-his-line Taylor could fist clear, hearts were in mouths as the Bannsiders contingent behind the goal readied a roar for the ball trickling over the line.
One-nil… well, if not for Francis, who lashed the ball clear with not a single moment to spare.
Alas, while talk of statue-building ensued – the Magherafelt man is that highly esteemed just now, even in just his 11th appearance – the reprieve was brief.
After an Arthurs mishit cued a Foster attempt that agonisingly inched wide on 89 minutes, it proved a let-off that Coleraine took full advantage of; Lyndon Kane raced towards the byline and swooped the delivery into the danger area.
Deadlock-breaker late on:
The opening goal of the night came for the hosts Coleraine, and a player who is no stranger to the net was the one who found it. Matthew Shevlin put the Bannsiders in front with a towering header, converting Lyndon Kane’s well-weighted delivery and putting the cherry on the cake. Image from Desmond Loughery.
And Shevlin rewarded him. A header that, putting placement over power, shot those in blue and white into the state of celebration they had likely braced for much earlier in the duel.
Safe passage to the next round for last term’s runners-up and a tough victory ground out.
If only it were that simple.
People who have followed Bangor know they are lionhearted – and this was in evidence again.
Stat attack:
Deployed as a right-sided centre-back in Lee Feeney’s back-three, Sean Brown’s status can be reflected in that he has completed the full match allocation in each of his nine starts this term. The Northern Ireland Under-19 international was effective on both sides of the ball against Coleraine.
Four minutes deep into stoppage-time, Brown saw a fierce low sizzler bobble out for a corner that would produce a match-defining moment just as the clock wound down.
Holding in the area. Hassan spotted it, deliberated and, right at the last, pointed to the penalty spot with mere seconds remaining. Scott was penalised, and Arthurs took the mantle for the first spot-kick award the Seasiders have had all season.
Composure personified:
No less influential than usual after he arrived from the bench, Ben Arthurs’ coolness from the spot proved the key behind Bangor forcing an additional 30 minutes for the game to be settled. He sent Martin Gallagher the wrong way and barely broke a sweat doing it. Image from Sarah Harkness.
The pressure was mounted but boy, you wouldn’t have known it from what the Kircubbin hero produced.
Chief whistler Hassan signalled, Arthurs stood tall and he never broke stride. He left Gallagher clutching at air and swept home a beautiful side-footed shot into the right portion of the net.
Bedlam.
Buckle up people. After the Peninsula hero contributed his 113th finish in Bangor colours, seconds left turned into half an hour left with just one kick.
This was going to be a long one.
Hassan’s full-time whistle confirmed it would be such.
With the wind in their sails, the visitors enjoyed the first sight of the additional period; it was Foster’s supply that teed up the aerially dominant Arthurs just two minutes in, and it looked to be heading in from a certain angle, but Gallagher plucked the ball out to quell any doubt. Straight up the other end, McDaid took aim, but the former Larne hero was to again find an imperious Taylor in his wake.
Arthurs, reminiscent of his masterful performance under lights against Crusaders in February – which he also marked with a well-taken goal – almost conjured up a fine solo goal.
Dancing from the halfway line to the penalty area and muscling everybody off, the 25-year-old let fly but had his hands on his head when his shot edged by the far post. He slammed the ground in frustration as the ball trickled wide.
On 98 minutes, Coleraine seized back the initiative. And, sometimes, you just have to tip your hat and say, ‘what a hit’.
Lynch’s piledriver was one of those.
With space to angle his strike some 25 to 30 yards from goal, he used it to the maximum, and how it paid dividends for him.
A missile, with the sheer force and speed that it pierced the air with, was to fire beyond Taylor’s dive and into the top right corner for one of the best goals the Limerick man is likely to ever score.
As soon as the ball left the box-to-box midfielder’s foot, there wasn’t much else that could be done – unless it came in reaction.
Trailing once more, the Seasiders opened up and pushed to deliver one; perhaps a bonus that, this time, there were 22 minutes to search out a response rather than as much time as Hassan was prepared to allow.
In the second half of added-time, McDaid – who swapped one Showgrounds for another in crossing the Ballymena/Coleraine divide in the summer – should have settled it in truth, but with 109 minutes gone, Taylor’s one-on-one heroics stopped the goal-getter in his tracks.
A minute later, Shevlin tried his luck from distance, but his outside-of-the-boot effort from 20 yards curled inward just a little too late as he targeted the bottom left corner.
Bangor’s best opening came a minute into additional time; Reece Neale’s long throws had caused problems, and substitute Tom Mathieson – scorer of the Seagulls’ clincher against Newington 10 days earlier – was the recipient of one such, but a tame header was Gallagher’s for claiming that ultimately was to be this pulsating duel’s very last opening.
Hassan signalled for time shortly after and Coleraine, although taken the distance, secured their spot in the BetMcLean Cup last-16.
But Bangor made them work hard for it.
Those who travelled and made their voices heard were reciprocated with a warm round of applause by the players and coaches.
| BetMcLean Cup | First Round (3/10/23) | ||
| Annagh United (2) | 4 | 1 | Portstewart (3) |
| Ballinamallard United (2) | 1 | 5 | Ards (2) |
| Ballymena United (1) | 4 | 0 | Lisburn Distillery (3) |
| Carrick Rangers (1) | 4 | 1 | Moyola Park (3) |
| Cliftonville (1) | 3 | 0 | Institute (2) |
| Coleraine (1) | 2 | 1 | Bangor (2) |
| Dungannon Swifts (1) | 3 | 1 | Newington (2) |
| Glenavon (1) | 2 | 1 | Dergview (2) |
| Glentoran (1) | 2 | 0 | Dollingstown (3) |
| Harland and Wolff Welders (2) | 1 | 2 | Newry City (1) |
| Larne (1) | 9 | 1 | Knockbreda (2) |
| Limavady United (3) | 2 | 0 | Dundela (2) |
| Linfield (1) | 3 | 1 | Queen’s University (3) |
| Loughgall (1) | 3 | 2 | Ballyclare Comrades (2) |
| Portadown (2) | 4 | 1 | Coagh United (3) |
| Warrenpoint Town (3) | 0 | 5 | Crusaders (1) |
Disappointment. But then again, if your disappointment is at not conquering Premiership titans on their own turf, that can be put in perspective – especially given that six years ago, it was up in the air whether supporters would still have their football club tomorrow.
This is just another step on the journey, and those on the pitch are doing their people proud.
“So, we’re going with a plan to win, it’s another long trip and hopefully we’ll make it count”
Lewis Harrison’s pledge that a major performance was on the cards against Coleraine rung true indeed
“The pressure’s off us, we’re not going in as favourites and, for me, that’s sometimes where we play our best football,” pointed out Lewis Harrison following the Dergview reversal.
“So, we’re going with a plan to win, it’s another long trip and hopefully we’ll make it count.”
It wasn’t quite a win and a place in the next round. But it could be seen as a moral victory. Playing for the pride of the badge on the front, blue and yellow blood coursing through the veins… as a supporter, the success was the only thing more that you could have asked for.
Take that performance into this Saturday, and the learnings will have been applied in full.
Featured image from Sarah Harkness.
- It’s unfair to put blame at feet of Linfield and Cliftonville for Irish Cup Final crowd disorder
A penny for the thoughts of Linfield and Cliftonville this week. This year’s Irish Cup Final was a spectacular in every sense. Nearly 15,000 packed inside Windsor Park for the biggest-attended domestic fixture in Northern Ireland this century and an occasion to… Read more: It’s unfair to put blame at feet of Linfield and Cliftonville for Irish Cup Final crowd disorder - Irish League chiefs must improve provisions in place to attract younger fans and families
Let’s get a basic fact of life out of the way first – no one likes a price hike. No one likes a price hike in the same way that no one likes paying taxes, bills, debts, insurance and other such necessary… Read more: Irish League chiefs must improve provisions in place to attract younger fans and families - How the Irish FA’s new ‘Conference Layer’ for intermediate football can be big hit or own goal
Changes to the intermediate football sphere in Northern Ireland have long been touted and, going by the Irish FA’s latest update on the topic, closer than ever to coming to fruition. From the 2026-27 campaign, a new ‘Conference Layer’ will be in… Read more: How the Irish FA’s new ‘Conference Layer’ for intermediate football can be big hit or own goal - Steven McCullough’s crucial goal in relegation play-off seals him as a Ballymena United great
There’s been a change in priorities for Ballymena United during recent years – albeit not necessarily the type supporters would’ve perhaps wanted. In 2019, the Braidmen were the second best team in the Irish League. Runners-up behind Linfield that year, and just… Read more: Steven McCullough’s crucial goal in relegation play-off seals him as a Ballymena United great - Ending Cliftonville’s Irish Cup drought proves Jim can fix it… now he must target league glory
Finally, it’s Cliftonville’s year in the Irish Cup. An agonising waiting game ends at last and a drought that lasted 45 painful years is over in one burst of champagne rain. Since 1979, the Reds have contrived to fail in various ways… Read more: Ending Cliftonville’s Irish Cup drought proves Jim can fix it… now he must target league glory
Football Chatters 
Leave a comment