Ballinamallard 4-0 Bangor

Ballinamallard ended Bangor’s six-game winning run with a 4-0 victory over the Seasiders at Ferney Park.

A first-half double from Danny Barker gave the home team a two-goal advantage over the league leaders at halftime, with second half strikes from Josh McIlwaine and Darragh Stewart sealing the victory. 

The Mallards went into the game looking to bounce back from consecutive home league defeats, but Stafford was once again hampered by selection issues.

Captain Aaron Arkinson, Richie Johnston and Darragh Byrne were forced out through injury, with the trio being replaced by Nathan Sherry, Jamie Dunne and John Edgar.

Joel Little returned in goal after having to sit out the last league game against his home club Annagh. 

Bangor striker Matthew Ferguson is the top scorer in the NIFL Championship, and he had a sight of goal after just three minutes but his header from Kielan Reid’s cross flew over the crossbar.  

The Mallards had scored seven goals in their midweek cup match against Institute, and it took them only eight minutes to find the net against Bangor.

Josh McIlwaine got on the end of a free kick lofted into the Bangor penalty area, and he laid it back for Barker who side-footed the ball into the bottom corner to give the Mallards the lead. 

Ferguson came close again for the visitors moments later when his shot was deflected over the bar, and Kyle Owens headed a corner just past the post before Ballinamallard doubled their lead after 34 minutes when Barker lashed a shot from 20 yards into the top corner past goalkeeper James Taylor. 

Bangor came out for the second half determined to haul their way back into contention, and Ballinamallard goalkeeper Joel Little was tested by halftime substitute Scott McArthur.

The Mallards’ central defence of Nathan Sherry, Dean Corrigan and Ryan Morris were working hard to deny Bangor a sight of goal, and after 71 minutes the home team moved further ahead.

A free kick into the penalty area caused confusion in the Bangor defence, and the loose ball fell to McIlwaine who stretched to poke the ball over the goal line. 

The in-form Darragh Stewart sealed the win with a fourth goal after 76 minutes. The winger ran onto a through ball and fired across the keeper to net his ninth goal in his last ten games. 

The victory leaves Ballinamallard eighth in the NIFL Championship table, with a trip to Institute next up for the Mallards.