Seasiders stunned by Craigavon in Coca Cola Cup

Bangor Ladies, the official ladies section of Bangor Football Club were stunned in a disasterous opening five minutes against Craigavon Ladies on Monday evening (6th) in the second round of the Northern Ireland Womens Cola Cola sponsored FA Cup at Bloomfield Road, which saw the North Down side go 3-0 down. Goals from Natasha Lee (2) and Leanne McGarry in the second half were the only positives on a grey, dull and cold evening, as Bangor at least made a game of the second half.


Although, it wasn't near enough, it shows the side did respond to the bad start and came back to give the visitors, a tough game and an exciting edge in the closing minutes. Craigavon though held on and go through to the last sixteen, and with the Preimer sides joining the competition at this stage, Bangor Ladies wish them continued success in the competition.


Turning out for the Coca Cola cup tie on a dull, grey and miserable Monday (6th) night were: Tina Sharpe, Alanah Burns, Leanne McGarry, ‘Stevi’ Clifford, Trish Webb; Sophie Ferris, Lynsey Turville, Jenny Boyd, Dawn Clarke; Natasha Lee, Lisa Gilmore. Sub: Val McKibbin.


It was a start that Bangor never had any chance to recover from, despite coming out in the second half and showing a bit more grit and a lot more determination. The Seasiders, though made the task even more unlikely, having slowly edged their way back into the contest, a wayward pass gifted their opponents yet another goal, before the team finally knuckled down to battle their way back into the contest with three quick fire goals mid through the second half.

Bangor Ladies go out of Coca Cola Cup

From an partially deflated team that just looked like they wanted off the pitch in the first half, a goal from a set piece from McGarry in between a couple of Lee strikes gave the score-line a little more respectability, and in a complete reversal of attitudes, it was now the visiting Craigavon team, a little rattled and who suddenly wanted the referee to end the game and end it quickly.


Having cut the deficit to two, in the final five minutes Bangor captain McGarry had a great opportunity to really challenge the character of the visitors, but despite connecting with a Lee’s well struck corner, the bullet header just arrowed the wrong side of the upright.


As Bangor went gung-ho at the end of the game, defenders Clifford and McGarry joining the attack, Craigavon broke away and struck right at the very death to finish the game off. It was a contest that once the leaders had established their early ascendancy, the Seasiders fate was fairly perceptible.


So, it will be Craigavon City who progress into the last sixteen of a competition that has never been anything more than a distraction for the Seasiders. Although it did give manager Andy Craig an opportunity to field some of his younger, inexperienced charges, and they will have benefited from playing in the fixture.


While not making any excuses, particularly considering the lack lustre and uncharacteristic lethargic opening spell, it was basically a game littered with early defensive errors and in truth, probably best forgotten, hopefully the team can do just that - forget it and concentrate on the divisional challenge.

Rivalary between 1st Bangor and Bangor Ladies continues on Thursday evening

It is back to the domestic campaign now for the Seasiders with the big local derby against the North Down clubs closest geographically rivals 1st Bangor Ladies from Newtownards tomorrow (Thursday) evening.


These two sides, separated by the six miles stretch of the A21 have history; Bangor Ladies winning the 3rd Division Championship at the expense of there Newtownards neighbours who finished as runners up in the 2009 season.


The game is scheduled to take place at Dairy Hall, Newtownards and will provide the Seasiders a much, needed opportunity to well and truly bury their recent poor performances. The three points on offer being important to both teams, the winners of this one will establish themselves as the club within striking distance of the top of the table at the half way point of the 2011 season with all to play for.

Changes at Clandeboye Park

Changes are afoot at Clandeboye Park, with the imminent resurfacing of the present grass surface in favor of an artificial grass, all weather pitch. This surface, which is in use at Irish League Premiership, team Cliftonville and is fully recognized as perfectly legal by the IFA and the NIWFA.


Along with the resurfacing of the pitch, it is believed there will be a complete revamping of the Clandeboye Road arena, with a new floodlighting system and reallocating of a stand and facilities.

Bangor Ladies who lost to Craigavon City

What it will mean to the ladies team is simple. Bangor Ladies will have preferential use, within reason of the ground and facilities at a newly designed Clandeboye Park, for all of the club’s league and cup games drawn at home. This, as opposed to the present situation which unfortunately sees the Seasiders having to play their fixtures at Bloomfield Road, Bangor, traditionally to allow for important maintenance to take place during the summer recess.


There are also developments as regards the unification of all the various section presently representing the North Down club.


The recent amalgamation of Castle Juniors of the South Belfast League to Bangor Football Club, brings with it U11, U12 and U14 junior teams which will spearhead the newly launched Bangor Football Club Youth Academy.


Along with this are plans to further expand the Ladies Section with the addition of a Reserve team next season, along with the formation, in the not too distant future of a Junior Section (Under 14 girls) .


These developments are emphasized with the recent addition at Bangor Ladies Section of Peter Gilmore, formerly of Abbey Villa, who joins Andy Craig as Assistant Coach at the senior section. The Junior Section (Under 14) will be under the guidance of Jenny Boyd. Both these appointments are endorsed by the current committee and are in accordance of the present Child Protection criteria and official Access N.I. policies.


All the teams will operate next season in their respective divisions, under the one umbrella of Bangor Football Club and will ideally play in the same club colours, with the same club sponsor broadening the local identity of Bangor Football Club within the North Down community.


This will mean a more dynamic approach to the whole aspect of local football, with the facilities being more accessible the whole year round, inclusive of most weekends, to a wide range of local clubs at a reasonable cost.


With little maintenance required on these superbly manicured, simulated grass arena’s, the potential advancement of Bangor Ladies in terms of improving the technical skills of individual players will give the club an overall new basis for development, particularly off season.


All these exciting new developments are seen as the initial steps of an innovating era for local football at Clandeboye Road, with the club functioning within the community on all fronts.

Last Edited on 16-Jun-2011 5:07 PM