Johnston brace tames battling Bangor outfit

6 January 2016

SLICK Saintfield’s sizzling sharpshooters shot down Bangor fourths in an intriguing Junior Cup Cup final showdown at Stormont on Sunday, December 27.

However, Lawrence Murphy’s charges made life difficult for themselves after missing a host of good scoring opportunities in the first half.

It was left to master craftsman Davy Johnston to lead the way with a brilliant brace, while skipper Craig Harkness chipped in with his side’s other goal.

Saintfield opened at a high tempo and never really relented for the next 35 minutes.

They opened the scoring in only the second minute when Harkness combined with Johnston at a short corner set-piece and the Saints captain made no mistake from close in.

Three minutes later Jack Taylor shot narrowly wide after a patient build-up, but that second goal was to prove elusive.

With seven minutes gone Lance Walker played a delightful ball into Taylor, but he was denied by ‘keeper Ross Miller.

Less than 60 seconds later Harkness and Johnston combined to carve out an opening for Conor Ferguson, but he shot over from a good position.

Bangor mounted a rare counterattack, but they were out of luck when a combination of Aaron Kearney and the woodwork kept out Marcus Ross’ fierce strike.

With 16 minutes gone Ferguson, who dominated midfield, played an incisive pass into the willing Taylor, but he was again denied by excellent work from Miller.

Ferguson then created a chance for Walker, but he too was out of luck when he shot wide.

Four minutes later Taylor was denied again after superb approach play from Ferguson and Walker before Ferguson had a shot saved.

Miller continued to defy Saintfield as the half drew to a close. Alas, Bangor had a sting in their tail and minutes after Ali Patterson kept out a shot from Steven Ferguson, he was left stranded following a short corner when Mark Squance made it 1-1.

Saintfield tried to regain the lead before the break, but Miller saved well from Ferguson and Johnston to send the teams in level at the break.

The second half was a much more competitive affair with Bangor plugging the gaps at the back and coming to terms with Ferguson in the engine room.

However, Bangor were left helpless after another defensive indiscretion led to a penalty flick and Johnston beat Miller with aplomb to give Saintfield a 2-1 lead after 41 minutes.

It was 3-1 eight minutes later when Harkness, Johnston and Ferguson teamed up at a short corner for Johnston to drill the ball home.

Saints surprisingly took the foot off the gas and with 57 minutes gone Rory McMillan made it 3-2 with a neat finish after a series of short corners, game back on.

Saintfield lived on their nerves a bit in the last 10 minutes, but superb defending from Johnston and Sammy Davidson kept Bangor at bay.

Saintfield: A Patterson, D Johnston, B Hamilton, S Harkness, F Adrian, C Ferguson, C Harkness, S Tate, L Walker, J Taylor, S Creggan, S Davidson, K Kirkpatrick, A Kearney.

Bangor IV: R Miller, J Riordan, R McMillan, G Patterson, P Hopkins, S Ferguson, R Irvine, M Ross, M Squance, A Savage, M McBride, S Squance, M Sanchez, D Largey.

Saintfield 3

Bangor IV 2

JUNIOR 6 CUP FINAL

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