Bangor drop to third place

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section at Bangor Football Club, dropped down to third spot in the Davison’s division two following a 4-1 defeat at the hands of a well organised Portadown Integrated Ladies last Wednesday (18th) at Annaghs United ground on the Tandragee Road in Portadown.


Both team’s had enjoyed impressive starts to their respective campaigns with identical won two, drawn one records, additionally the two side were involved in the Coca Cola Women’s FA Cup, played just two days previously. Bangor having triumphed 2-1 away to neighbours Abbey Villa, while Portadown were knocked out by Cappagh Spurs.


Once again the weather was less than welcoming, a light but noticeably bitter wind swept across the local pitch as the game got underway, under dull, threatening, heavy looking clouds. Lining up for the Seasiders: Jenny Boyd, Alanah Burns, Leanne McGarry, Sarah Clifford, Jessica Beers; Hayley Gains, Dawn Clarke, Lynsey Turville, Christine Duncan; Lisa Gilmore, Natasha Lee. Subs: Sophie Ferris and Rebekah Adams.


Portadown started very strongly in front of a fairly sizeable home support, showing just what a well-drilled squad there are, with some slick and clever use of the football, leaving the Seasiders a little off the pace in the very early exchanges.


The home support didn’t have long to wait as the home team opened the scoring within the first few minutes. A corner on the right was flicked in past a stunned Bangor defence, who clearly hadn’t started the match on the front foot.


While Bangor tentatively edged into the game, Portadown were proving quite formidable opposition, and it was clear that it was going to be a tough and competitive game, with some hard, but fair, tackles flying about.


Somewhat against the run of play, Bangor found a response, due to the quick thinking Lee, who broke a tackle on the left side and hit a rasping first time drive low and into the corner to make it 1-1 after just 15 minutes.


The physical disadvantage was to take its toll though, the re-built Bangor team, starting with four teenagers were out muscled, subsequently lost the tenacious Clarke midway through the first half, clattered heavily in a 50/50. The midfielder clearly in some discomfort, was withdrawn shortly afterwards, fifteen year old Ferris the replacement in a busy midfield.


While Bangor did find themselves level, the home team were still the more aggressive and restored their advantage after working the ball down the left side, and drawing the visiting two centre backs out, switched it to the back post, where it was slid in, giving Boyd no real chance.


Portadown at this point were clearly enjoying having the Seasiders on the ropes and their best spell followed, and it seemed only a matter of time before they would increase their lead, as the Bangor midfield found themselves outnumbered and at times outplayed by the oppositions movement.


Although perhaps fortunate to still be in the contest at the interval, Portadown having squandered a number of reasonably good opportunities, the Seasiders would have to try and source another gear if they were to get themselves back into the fixture which surprisingly at 2-1 was still in the balance.


Shortly after the interval, Coach Andy Craig made the changes: Adams sent on to left back; Beers pushed up front to a more familiar strikers role, while Gilmore replaced Gains on the right wing, who was withdrawn.


Although there was no noticeably effect, the Seasiders finally and significantly crept back into the contest. In midfield Ferris and Turville were assisted by Duncan and Gilmore both tucking in to support.


The second half also saw Beers switched to the more familiar role, joining Lee up front, and this gave the visitors a more potent threat, and for the opening 15 minutes the game turned into a better contest. Bangor, playing some good stuff for the first time was now a match for their hard tackling opponents.


Both strikers Beers and Lee carved out opening for themselves as Bangor pressed looking to get back into the game, which was still in the balance, despite the early dominance of the Portadown side.


As the Seasiders pushed up the home side were quick to counter attack and had two great opportunities to put the game out of reach before finally finishing off the visitors with just 21 minutes on the clock, with a good finish which Boyd again had no chance of stopping.


Although effectively out of the game, Bangor kept attacking and again Beers had a good chance, after a clever ball by Duncan got the young striker through, only for a last ditch tackle to knock it to safety.


Into the last couple, and a stubborn Bangor were eventually killed off with the award of a soft looking penalty as Adams tangled with a Portadown striker, and was adjudged by the official to have been guilty of an offence, which was duly converted which concluded the scoring.


Although always chasing the game, it was fair to say that Portadown Integrated Ladies were well worth their win and deserved the three points, albeit the visiting Seasiders did give a very good account of themselves, and a better match particularly in the second half.


Next up will be the first of tough back-to-back league games, primarily with the visit of Ballymoney United Ladies on Tuesday 24th, and then league leaders Valley Rangers on 31st. Following the closure of Clandeboye Park, both these games will take place at Bloomfield Road Playing Fields, scheduled for a 7.30 p.m. kick offs.