Febuary 6th 2010 – Away

Clarence Cup

Bangor YM v Orangefield 1st XI

After a bye in the first round of the Clarence Cup, Orangefield’s challenge this season got under way with a 2nd round trip away to Bangor YM.

Both sides started well, Tony Craig enjoying a good battle in midfield with the Bangor YM captain, freeing up Dean Cousins to pick some good passes out to the wide men. Brian Reynolds was tireless in the first half, making some great runs up the right hand side and putting several good crosses in, but the finishing was lacking.

With the Orangefield defence stopping the home side attacks from open play, Bangor were limited to set pieces to try and get a goal. Ryan Hardy made a great defensive header from one free kick, leaping well between two attackers to clear the danger.

Up front, Clarkey and Harvey were working hard but finding it difficult to get the ball into the net. A couple of efforts were well saved by the Bangor keeper, one header low into the corner turned away well around the post.

Half-time: 0 - 0

Orangefield were encouraged at half time to step up the pace and move the ball quicker. This seemed to work as the chances started to become more clear cut, forcing more good saves from the Bangor keeper.

The first goal came from a penalty, the referee spotting a Bangor defender kicking out at an Orangefield player off the ball. Clarkey took the ball and struck it well to the left hand side to make it 0-1.

It wasn’t long before the away side was on the attack again, forcing a corner. Jonny Gibson whipped in a good ball and Davy Tittensor rose well to head it into the net. A few minutes later Tittensor again came close with a thumping shot from 25 yards. After a decent run down the left hand side, he cut inside and struck it right footed towards the far top corner, but the keeper somehow managed to tip it over. From the resulting corner, Clarkey jumped and got a flick on at the near post, with Brian Reynolds swiveling and volleying low into the corner of the net.

At this stage, Bangor were limited to balls over the top, but the defence kept a high line, well marshaled by Sam McNaul, and played the offside effectively.

Harvey was having a good game up front, but with no goals so far. He picked the ball up outside the home 18 yard box, and with a step inside, looked like he was going to shoot. Instead though, he unselfishly played the ball to Jonny Gibson, who side footed past the keeper to make it four.

A good game all round by Orangefield who, with better finishing in the second half, proved too much for a spirited Bangor YM side.

Full-time: 0 - 4

Lineup: G.Taylor, R.Hardy, S. McNaul, D. Wilson, J.Gibson, B.Reynolds, T.Craig, D.Cousins (Capt), D.Tittensor , C.Dempster, C.Harvey Subs: R.McNaul, N.O’Neill, Dornan