Bangor vs Ards

Bangor started brightly and broke the deadlock in the 5th minute. Steven McCullough, the 31-year-old left-back who signed from Portadown this summer, got on the scoresheet with a well-taken goal — his second in two pre-season appearances after his free-kick against Newington on 4 July.

The Seasiders carried that lead into half-time at 1-0, having controlled much of the first period without creating a glut of clear chances.

The decisive moment arrived in the 70th minute. Mick Morgan doubled Bangor's advantage, giving the home side a two-goal cushion they managed comfortably to the final whistle. Ards pushed for a foothold but could not find a way past the Bangor defence, who kept their first clean sheet of pre-season.

McCullough's 5th-minute goal was the early hammer blow that shaped the entire contest. Ards, who had won the previous four meetings between the sides (including three in a row from 2023–2025), were forced to chase the game from the opening exchanges — a dynamic they never recovered from. Bangor's organisation in the first half ensured Ards registered little in response, and Morgan's 70th-minute strike effectively ended the contest.

Steven McCullough (Bangor) — The new signing continues to justify his arrival. After scoring a free-kick on his unofficial debut against Newington on 4 July, McCullough followed up with another goal here, this time from open play inside five minutes. His experience at left-back, having played over a decade in the NIFL Premiership, was evident throughout.

Mick Morgan (Bangor) — The forward made the game safe with a 70th-minute goal in a sharp, disciplined display. His movement caused problems for the Ards defence across the second half.

Bangor back four — Kept Ards scoreless for the first clean sheet of Bangor's pre-season, a notable improvement after conceding five against Queen's University on 11 July.

Bangor's 2-0 scoreline tells a story of efficiency rather than dominance. The Seasiders scored from two of their key chances — McCullough's early strike and Morgan's second-half finish — while the team's defensive shape improved markedly from the 5-2 defeat to Queen's University five days earlier. The clean sheet will be the most encouraging takeaway for Feeney ahead of the Premiership opener against Larne on 9 August.

Ards, who had won the previous four meetings across all competitions, found themselves chasing the game from the 5th minute and struggled to create meaningful openings against a compact Bangor backline.

Bangor now have four pre-season fixtures behind them — wins over Knockbreda (5-0 on 27 June), Newington (2-1 on 4 July) and Ards, either side of the 5-2 loss to Queen's University on 11 July. The team's next friendly is away to Moyola Park on 18 July, followed by Oxford Sunnyside (21 July), Comber Rec. and Dundela (both 25 July), Newry City (28 July), Ballinamallard United (31 July) and Dergview (1 August).

The competitive season begins on Sunday, 9 August, when Bangor travel to Inver Park to face reigning NIFL Premiership champions Larne.

For Ards, the pre-season continues as they build towards their own league campaign under manager John Bailie, with the Spectator and Chronicle Cup remaining in Bangor's hands for another year.

A thoroughly professional pre-season workout from Bangor. McCullough's early goal set the tone, Morgan's second-half strike sealed it, and the clean sheet was the most valuable outcome. The Seasiders are building momentum at the right time ahead of a demanding Premiership opener against Larne.