Saturday 23rd November 1.30pm Ko

Clarence Cup R1

Bloomfield Playing Fields

BYM 6 – 2 Finaghy

Bangor Young Men took on 2A side Finaghy in the Clarence Cup on the 4g at Aurora following a late venue change.

Both sides lined up in a similar shape and it’s fair to say that Finaghy started the brighter of the two, which prompted the YM management to take action and switch to a 4-4-2. After this, the game evened itself out and the home side grew into the game but then found themselves 1 nil down after 25mins, a solid strike from 45 yards out moved all over the place and eluded Kane in goal.

Never ones to let their head drop, the YM pulled level barely 2mins later, a fantastic cross field ball from Scott was finished well at the back post by Bell. They continued to push forward and got their reward 10mins before the break, Sloan with a contender for goal of the season, smashing a half volley from 30 yards out into the top corner of the Finaghy net.

As the half neared Crooks and Bell linked up well out left, the ball reached McKee in the middle of the box who hit the post but the ball rebounded to Howell who finished calmly. 3-1 at H/T

After the break the YM pressure continued and after 50mins, they were 4-1 up, corner by Bell that was met by Crooks.

Not satisfied, the home side kept Finaghy on the back foot, this time hounding their keeper into a mistake and again Howell finished calmly to put the YM 5-1 up.

The match was about game management from this point on, with tactical subs made with the league in mind, naturally there was a lull in the game and then the referree allowed Finaghy a glimmer of hope. A soft penalty awarded which was promptly dispatched. 5-2.

As the final whistle approved, the YM broke through a great ball from Graham, and the onrushing Bell rounded the keeper to get his 2nd of the day and to top off a great captains performance. 6-2.

BYM, into the next round with a good scalp against a good side.

Fantastic performance from all but MoTM goes to the revitalised Matty McKee