The home comforts returned, if fleetingly, as Bangor made a return to their Clandeboye Park home stage and picked up three points to go with it. After fighting hard and well but just falling short against Coleraine in the BetMcLean Cup, itself coming on the backdrop of a defeat in the Playr-Fit Championship to Dergview by the same 2-1 scoreline, a victorious comeback would have been a prize perhaps even more coveted than usual.
And boy, did they. Did they in style. With three strikes all with their individual characteristics, but all with that same ability to just make your jaw drop. With three further road trips on the horizon, as Larne, Knockbreda and Institute all beckon in the next two weeks, the travel miles rack up again – but the wind is firmly in the sails at least.
Trio of beauties bag welcome three points as Bangor rack up fifth league win
Much of Bangor’s recent and, indeed, forthcoming assignments are on the road, making this outing at Clandeboye Park somewhat of a scarcity.
The Seasiders had been on successive road trips to Dergview and Coleraine in the previous seven days, while they are to follow up this encounter with a trio of road trips – to Larne, Knockbreda and Institute in that order – before they return to familiar soil at the end of the month.
You could understand, then, that boss Lee Feeney and his players would have wanted to feel some home comforts.
On a cloudy Saturday in north Down, Annagh United were the visitors bidding to throw a spanner in the works in a clash between two teams who started the day neck-and-neck in the Playr-Fit Championship.
Separable only by goal difference, with those in yellow and blue just ahead in that metric, the day was forecast to be finely poised given the shared 14-point totals – though Annagh had achieved that tally in a game fewer – that set the scene for an intriguing match-up.
When Feeney initially took charge by the seaside, his opposite number, Ciaran McGurgan, had just guided the Tandragee Road establishment to promotion following a Covid-curtailed Premier Intermediate League in 2020. As well as being the first league meeting between these two bosses, it was also The Annagh’s first league visit to Clandeboye Park in quite some time – the return leg in that third-tier term was struck off.
Starting line-up:
There was a distinctly minimal need for change in the eyes of Bangor manager Lee Feeney for the visit of Annagh United to Clandeboye Park. Out of the starting team, 10 were in from the first whistle against Coleraine; Ben Arthurs replaced Adam Neale in the solitary alteration.
The Kilkeel chief believes he has a team that can compete with anyone, such that he saw fit to make just one amendment to the starting line-up that had pushed Coleraine all the way.
Stat attack:
With Lewis Francis having already passed the 1,000-minute mark for the season, inclusions in the starting line-up all but confirmed that James Taylor, Lewis Harrison, Reece Neale and Sean Brown would reach that tally too.
It came up top, as goalscorer Ben Arthurs was restored to the first-choice 11 in Adam Neale’s place. The Kircubbin man, who found the net with an added-time penalty that in turn forced 30 minutes of extra-time at The Showgrounds last Tuesday night, paired with Ben Cushnie to form that duo, with the same midfield three set-up reprised.
Substitutes:
The substitutes, indeed, also stayed the same, with the only exception being Adam Neale’s drop-down as Ben Arthurs rose up. All six other replacements remained the same for Bangor against Annagh United compared to the Coleraine clash.
Annagh, although missing the impetus offered by Ryan Swan and Ryan Moffatt, who are both long-term injury absentees, were still determined to put on a Saturday best. The likes of Stephen Murray, Scott McCullough and Ruairi McDonald being among their forward line served to highlight that fact.
The players – with the home contingent having pupils from Ballymagee Primary School as mascots to lead them out – walked onto the pitch before referee Ryan Hanna signalled for the match to get under way. Annagh kicked the joust off.
Much of the early pressure was piled on by the visitors, too.
The Portadown club enjoyed a number of presentable chances within the first 20 minutes, firstly by young defender Lee Upton’s header that warmed James Taylor’s gloves early on.
That opening arose seven minutes deep into proceedings; five minutes later, McDonald – who was Annagh’s two-goal hero when they defeated H&W Welders 2-1 a week earlier – came within inches of adding to his four goals this season when his clean strike from the inside-right nicked the top of the crossbar.
McDonald turned provider thereafter when he teed up Murray to put the cherry on top of a flowing piece of interplay, but when the odds were stacked on the Annagh line-leader to hit the target, an air shot was instead what was produced and Bangor were let off the hook. At the other end, Arthurs and Lewis Harrison had registered goal-bound looks at Jason Craughwell’s goal, but it was nothing that a shot-stopper who has represented both sides of the north Down divide could not handle.
When Jack Henderson struck, though, the ball was too hot to handle.
The hosts drew first blood two minutes before the half-hour. Following Seanna Foster’s whipped supplythat was cleared only as far as the edge of the box, there lying in wait was a player who had yet to open his account in yellow and blue.
But that was all change.
He couldn’t have hoped for a better connection. The ball simply arrowed into the bottom right corner, Henderson sweeping home a quite sublime opener that was coursed for the net right from the moment ball left boot – and it never diverted.
The midfielder, who featured for Ballymena United in an Irish Cup Final less than 18 months ago, wheeled away to face the main stand; a confident finish from a player who is not short of aplomb right now.
And cue a doubling of the initiative nine minutes later.
Arthurs thought he had done exactly that within 60 seconds of Annagh kicking the match back off – it looked from a wide-eye view that he had chipped former team-mate Craughwell to score, but the goalkeeper got a strong hand to deny him – but he would make his say.
Reece Neale clipped a diagonal over the whole Annagh block, found the Peninsula-based hitman in his stride and not only did Arthurs time his run to perfection, but he took it with the most impeccable first touch to settle himself.
He made sure the ball settled itself, too. A shot full of venom, laced with power and placement, found a safe home in the bottom left corner.
In the BetMcLean Cup a year ago, Annagh called the shots with a two-goal lead at half-time. The roles were reversed this time around.
The second half did not see Bangor lift their grip on goings-on. Towering Lewis Francis sauntered from defence and twice placed headers towards Craughwell’s goal – the first marginally over the crossbar on the hour mark; the second, from a similar position to where he scored his last-minute leveller against Institute, called the ‘keeper to clutch shrewdly.
There were other openings. On 55 minutes, a brilliant turn-and-shot by vibrant forward Cushnie from Walker’s delivery stung Craughwell’s palms as he made a parry at his near post.
Left wing-back Walker himself produced a smart attempt that forced a corner in the build-up to Francis’ first header.
As it turned out, he was only getting started.
On 87 minutes, a player who had yet to score a senior goal stepped up for a 20-yard free-kick that, had it sailed in, would have made sure the points stayed housed in Clandeboye.
Sailed in doesn’t do the end product justice.
18-year-old Walker took a short run-up, wrapped his left foot around the ball, raised it over the wall and, helped by the underside of the bar, sealed one of the most picturesque dead-ball finishes that this ground may well have ever seen.
It was placed to perfection. It was powered to glory. And the smile of a Bangor lad scoring for Bangor Football Club would brighten up even the grumpiest frown as Walker soaked in the acclaim of a crowd that was still processing the moment of magic they had just seen.
If that is how you put three points under lock and key, you take it every day of the week. You take it with both hands.
That really was special.
There remained time for a last input. Annagh grabbed a late consolation through Darragh Stewart, which scuppered what would have been a league-leading fifth clean sheet of the season for Taylor on the day, but the three points were in the bag come the final peeps of Hanna’s whistle.
Back to winning ways… and a result that counts.
Player spotlight:
The leadership capabilities of Reece Neale, who was a vocal presence as a left-sided centre-back against Annagh United, continue to shine through. The vice-captain, who also registered his second assist of the campaign with a delectable diagonal ball for Ben Arthurs to plunder home, also deserves acclaim for his work on the ball. Image from Sarah Harkness.
For one, Feeney will have been ecstatic to have seen the fighting response after the 2-1 defeat to Coleraine which, for the spirit shown in the north west, could have been emotionally draining.
Instead, that was channelled into positive energy to deliver a top-grade display against a side that has reached two promotion play-offs in succession – which, leading nicely to the next point for two, means that Bangor sit just a point from second-place.
The whirlwind continues. Points and victories must be earned, but being here just feels right.
After H&W Welders sealed a comeback success to conquer Knockbreda at Blanchflower Park, it means Feeney’s charges remain in fifth-place – but defeats for Portadown and Newington, the latter seeing Ballyclare Comrades make up a three-way tie on 17 points, ensure that the promotion play-off position is within touching distance.
| Playr-Fit Championship | Matchday 10 (7/10/23) | ||
| Ballinamallard United | 1 | 1 | Ards |
| Ballyclare Comrades | 3 | 0 | Newington |
| Bangor | 3 | 1 | Annagh United |
| Harland and Wolff Welders | 2 | 1 | Knockbreda |
| Institute | 2 | 0 | Dergview |
| Portadown | 1 | 3 | Dundela |
That is surreal to think about.
With Irish League champions and the four-peat-chasing County Antrim Shield holders Larne to come in midweek, it would be the mother of all shocks to beat them, but the belief in the camp is rightly elevated.
Henderson was delighted to put Bangor on the path to success when he stroked in a stunning opening goal to kickstart to goal account.
Stat attack:
Jack Henderson’s goal against Annagh was his first finish since he scored for Ballymena United in a 2-1 home defeat by Cliftonville on August 23, 2022.
The midfielder, who linked back up at Clandeboye Park after two years wearing the sky blue of Ballymena United, admits this was a moment in waiting that he couldn’t wait to pencil in.
“To be fair, I was joking with the boys prior to the game… I deserve a goal,” stated the 22-year-old, who was one of Lee Feeney’s first recruits back in 2020 when he played for his home town club during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I’ve been getting myself into them positions in the last couple of games, but I just haven’t been able to put the ball in the back of the net.
The quotes section:
“I’ve been getting myself into them positions in the last couple of games, but I just haven’t been able to put the ball in the back of the net. When I seen that Seanna (Foster) had put the ball in the box and I anticipated that they were going to mishit (the clearance), thankfully it was a good hit that I seen go into the bottom corner” – midfielder Jack Henderson was pleased to see his instinct rewarded with the opening goal against Annagh United. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
“When I seen that Seanna (Foster) had put the ball in the box and I anticipated that they were going to mishit (the clearance), thankfully it was a good hit that I seen go into the bottom corner.
“That’s what the gaffer (Feeney) has been saying to me. He’s been saying that he wants me to get into more advanced positions.
“That’s what the gaffer (Lee Feeney) has been saying to me. He’s been saying that he wants me to get into more advanced positions”
Jack Henderson believes his goal came as a product of taking up positions further up the pitch
“I know I’ve got goals in me, it’s just now that it’s the first of hopefully a few this season.”
Henderson has played as part of a trio alongside Lewis Harrison and Karl Devine in the centre of the park in each of the last two encounters, and the former Glentoran youth prospect believes that approach has its perks.
He opines: “Yeah, I think going to the natural three midfielders, it’s definitely letting (the midfield get forward more), because with Karl Devine – who I thought was brilliant – he’s sort of like a more natural No.6 and, yes, I’ve been playing No.6 quite a lot, but I’ve shown in the last couple of games that I can play just as well as a No.8.
The quotes section:
“Yeah, I think going to the natural three midfielders, it’s definitely letting (the midfield get forward more), because with Karl Devine – who I thought was brilliant – he’s sort of like a more natural No.6 and, yes, I’ve been playing No.6 quite a lot, but I’ve shown in the last couple of games that I can play just as well as a No.8. Karl sitting there, I think it lets me and Lewis get further forward and get more men in the box, and thankfully, we get more men up there and getting on the scoresheet today” – Jack Henderson feels he is reaping the rewards of playing in a midfield three system. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
“Karl sitting there, I think it lets me and Lewis get further forward and get more men in the box, and thankfully, we get more men up there and getting on the scoresheet today.
“I know I’ve got goals in me, it’s just now that it’s the first of hopefully a few this season”
Jack Henderson is hoping that he can stay on the goal trail now that he has bagged his first of the campaign
“The system the last couple of games has really worked, so long may it continue.”
Walker was all too happy to run through the thought process behind his exceptional free-kick finish against Annagh United.
The 18-year-old, who rose up the Academy ranks at Bangor before joining Larne’s esteemed set-up a couple of years ago, has returned to the seaside on loan from the Inver Reds, and he placed to perfection from 20 yards as his left-footed shot nicked the underside of the crossbar before nestling nicely in the Wall End net.
The defender wheeled away and soaked in the joy of the Clandeboye crowd, believing that the precision he struck with in the situation was as good as he’s given.
“I’ve never hit it so sweetly. I practice free-kicks a lot, practice them in training every day and just, I hit it and it just went in. Jack even tried to take it off me! But I was confident going into it, I knew I was going to score. As soon as I hit it, I just knew it was going in” – Bangor left wing-back Ben Walker was confident he would hit the target when he struck that beautiful free-kick. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
“No, I don’t think so,” he beamed, replying to the question of whether he has scored a goal better than that one. “I’ve never hit it so sweetly.
“I was confident going into it, I knew I was going to score. As soon as I hit it, I just knew it was going in“
Ben Walker had his celebrations at the ready from the moment the ball left his foot for Bangor’s third goal
“I practice free-kicks a lot, practice them in training every day and just, I hit it and it just went in.
“Jack even tried to take it off me! But I was confident going into it, I knew I was going to score. As soon as I hit it, I just knew it was going in.”
Adapting to regular minutes at the senior level for the first time in the 2005-born talent’s burgeoning career has been an exciting experience, he reveals, declaring himself pleased with how he has met increased demands.
The quotes section:
“I feel like I’m starting to fit in more because getting used to senior men’s football, it’s a big step up from Reserves. I think I’m starting to get used to the physicality and stuff. It is different, definitely; it’s more long-ball, more energy, but I feel like I’ve got fitter since I’ve come in. Being able to go up and down more. Yeah, I’ve really liked it” – Bangor’s Ben Walker has been enjoying the adaptation process going from Reserves to senior football. Image from Gary Carson.
“Yeah, I really like it (my left-sided role),” says Walker. “I feel like I’m starting to fit in more because getting used to senior men’s football, it’s a big step up from Reserves.
“It’s more long-ball, more energy, but I feel like I’ve got fitter since I’ve come in”
Ben Walker feels he is stepping up to the rigorous demands of first-team football with Bangor
“I think I’m starting to get used to the physicality and stuff. It is different, definitely; it’s more long-ball, more energy, but I feel like I’ve got fitter since I’ve come in. Being able to go up and down more. Yeah, I’ve really liked it.”
Penalty heartache for Reserves as Junior Cup journey ends at Round Two
Meanwhile, Bangor Reserves were to find their Junior Cup crusade come to a halt in the most agonising fashion.
After playing out a 2-2 draw with Limavady Rugby FC, the Seasiders found their fate on the hinge of a penalty shoot-out, and the visitors booked their ticket by emerging victorious at Bangor Sportsplex early on Saturday.
In the 1:30pm kick-off, David Downes’ team took the lead on 41 minutes through Ruairi Wright’s penalty, but the Limavady outfit pegged back level in first-half added-time with Jason Holmes hitting the target. Bangor seized back the initiative with 17 minutes of the second period remaining, as Michel Watterson fired those in yellow and blue back into command, but again there would be a response – Jarlath Canning conjuring it up with merely five minutes to go.
After extra-time, there were to be no further inroads into the scoreline, with spot-kicks the measure that would determine the Seagulls’ future prospects in this term’s competition.
Alas, it was not to be. Limavady took the maximum spoils 3-1, and as such, they put their name into the Third Round hat.
Downes will aim to elicit a response from his boys when they return to Championship/PIL Development League action, as Bangor welcome Newington Reserves to Clandeboye Park this Saturday, September 14 (11am kick-off).
Featured image from Sarah Harkness.
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