Institute dominate league leaders Bangor at the Brandywell

Kevin Deery watched his team produce their best performance of the season.

placeholder image — Kevin Deery watched his team produce their best performance of the season.

Institute 3

Institute stunned league leaders Bangor with a dominant display at the Brandywell on Saturday.

Kevin Deery’s side were massive underdogs heading into this game at the weekend with the form of each team vastly different. Before a ball was kicked on Saturday, Bangor were 10 points clear at the top of the NIFL Championship on the back of four wins in five games. That was in stark contrast to ‘Stute, who, after a promising October which brought four wins in five, endured a torturous November, not winning any of five league games.

And while others in the league would have viewed the result as the day’s biggest surprise, those at the Brandywell could have told them the score line actually flattered Bangor, who were dominated for a good hour of the game, with goalkeeper James Taylor a contender for Man pf the Match simply because of how busy he was. At the other end, Fintan Doherty had very little to do, as ‘Stute stood up to and completely overcame the league leaders in a one-sided game.

After a forgettable half hour, ‘Stute finally began to take control and Bangor goalkeeper Taylor was thankful for his left-hand post as he stood and watched as Dean Brown’s low shot went right past him only to strike the base of the post and somehow stay out.

That near miss galvanised ‘Stute and Brown almost turned provider seconds later as his cross from the right was attacked by Mikhail Kennedy, who sent a powerful header just over the bar.

The deadlock was finally broken ten minutes before the break and it was a memorable moment for Caoimhin Porter. Rhys McDermott’s cross from the left tempted goalkeeper Taylor from his line and he punched the ball clear, but only into the path of Porter just outside the penalty area. The defender had ne through in kind immediately as he controlled the ball and with the goalkeeper retreating, he sent a half volley over Taylor and into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

The goal at least sparked Bangor into some sort of life but it still took them over 45 minutes before they really threatened, Ben Cushnie jinking his way through two challenges in the area before shooting just wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Half Time 1-0

‘Stute doubled their lead just two minutes into the second half and it was another brilliant finish from the home side. A brilliant cross from the right from Brown was headed away by Kyle Owens, but Michael Harris regained control and sent it back into the area immediately where Kennedy beat the centre-half in the air and sent a superb downward header past Taylor up into the roof of the net.

Kennedy departed the game midway through the second half but the home side still retained their threat. Substitute Padraig Lynch very nearly announced his arrival with a spectacular goal within minutes of his arrival. Sean Carlin set Dean Brown away down the left, and, deciding there weren’t enough options for the cross, he turned back and found Lynch 20 yards from goal. The young striker bent n effort towards the top corner only to be denied by a brilliant, brilliant save from Taylor, who turned it over the bar for a corner.

The third goal arrived just under 15 minutes from time and it was an immediate impact from substitute Benny McLaughlin, on the pitch less than two minutes after replacing Rhys McDermott. Michael Harris’ hard work was the inspiration in the lead up to the goal, the forward riding two challenged before finding Lynch, who in turn set up McLaughlin. His first shot was brilliantly charged down by Taylor, but the goalkeeper had no luck as McLaughlin sent the rebound back at goal, and despite his best efforts, the goalkeeper was unable to prevent the ball from crossing the line.

Bangor, so disappointing throughout, did pull one back with seven minutes to go, when Ben Cushnie volleyed home from close range, but there was no final hurrah from the league leaders as ‘Stute held off their late push with relative ease. It was much too little, much too late for Bangor, who left the Brandywell scratching their heads at just went wrong.

For ‘Stute and Kevin Deery however, this was a glimpse once again of just what this team is capable of, and ahead of a busy Christmas period, which sees a trip to Newry before hosting title hopefuls Limavady United at home, it is a timely boost and a reminder of just what they can do in this division this year.

Teams

Institute: Fintan Doherty, Caoimhin Porter, Rhys McDermott (Brendan McLaughlin 74’), Bert Diau, Stephen Doherty, Dean Brown (Max McLaughlin 85’), Caoimhin Crossan, Cormac Burke, Sean Carlin, Michael Harris (Tiarnan McGinty 85’), Mikhail Kennedy (Padraig Lynch 65’).

Bangor: James Taylor, Reece Neale (Kielan Redid 79’), Kyle Owens, Lewis Harrison, Ben Arthurs (Callum Byers 58’), Ben Cushnie, Matthew Ferguson (Scott McArthur 58’), Martin Bradley, Tom Mathieson (Tiarnan Mulvenna HT’), Max Davidson (Sonny Redford 58’), Caomhan McGuinness.

Referee: Neil Robinson.