NEXT GAME: Wednesday 21st, AWAY v. VALLEY RANGERS
Spirited Seasiders lose out

Bangor Ladies 1, 1st Bangor (Newtownards) 2

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, again faced their closest geographical rivals 1st Bangor (Newtownards), on Tuesday night in the NIWFA Division Two fixture at Bloomfield Road, the Seasiders losing 2-1 despite an excellent, spirited performance.


It was the second time that these two had clashed in just five days, the second of a three game series, the Seasiders having drawn against the same opposition in the Quarter Final of the Divisional Cup quarter final which is scheduled for Monday 27th June.


For the first time in recent weeks the Seasiders started reasonably well and were quickly into their stride with Beers paired with Lee up top both lively and creating half chances early on, as their Newtownards hosts were shut down by Turville and Moore in midfield.


Bangor manager Andy Craig started with a new look line out of Stevie Clifford; Alanah Burns, Jenny Boyd; Leanne McGarry, Val McKibbin; Christine Duncan, Mollie Moore, Lynsey Turville, Sophie Ferris; Jessica Beers, Natasha Lee. Sub: Dawn Clarke. Training will continue on Sunday, and only those who report, or are excused training due to work commitments, will be eligible for selection for the Valley Rangers game.


Seasiders opened with purpose, Turville breaking things up and Moore pulling the strings in midfield, created an early opportunity, Beers putting though Lee with a brave header, the in-form striker, clean away, drove the ball over past the top right hand corner,


Although it was a close contest with Sheffield the main danger, the Seasiders pressed hard but despite a number of half chances still couldn’t find the back of the net, Duncan on the right was getting in with the vision of the young and talented Burns playing it early from the right back position.


Once again, the Sammy Mellon and Sons sponsored team were dealt a harsh blow from a corner which was well cleared, the ball was just driven back into the box by Newtownards Dani Wilson, and just like a few days earlier, the ball crept right in off the underside of the upright, with Clifford and the Bangor defence left static by the deceptive misfortune.


Lee again provided the threat, turning the centre half from a cleverly weighted ball from Moore and again connected sweetly, but again the ball whistled just past the top corner as Bangor edged closer and closer to drawing the contest.


The home side continued the promising start, Beers was unlucky with a looping header, which cruelly struck the top of the crossbar with the keeper left stranded, but bounced away to safety. A succession of corners saw McGarry up from the back as Bangor went all out for the equaliser.


Despite the game being fairly open and competitively contested all over the park, both defences were resolute and refused to give anything up easily and although Bangor probably were the slight ascendant of the two sides at half time, the Newtownards team had the all important lead.


Half time and with the Seasiders still very much the game, manager Craig urged his charges to keep up the high tempo and keep getting in about their opponents, the chances were coming and surely the goals would too.


Bangor couldn’t be faulted for the effort displayed as the young Seasiders kept going, continued to look dangerous and again the front pairing of Beers and Lee maintained the work rate very high on the break.


That said, the Newtownards outfit were always looking to extend their lead, although the back four of Burns, McGarry, Boyd and McKibbin protected keeper Clifford and put in a solid night’s work, restricting there adversaries to few clear cut opportunities.


The second half had saw Bangor take the game to the Ards side, but it was the visitors who increased their advantage after 60 minutes, this time with some good close control through the middle of the defence, with one, two then three tackles missed and Clifford exposed and beaten from 8 yards by Hannah Sheffield.


Although an obvious set back the Seasiders, heads didn’t drop and Duncan had a great opportunity to strike back straight away, her shot smothered by the alert visiting keeper.


Both Lee and Burns also had half chances and kept playing right on the shoulder of their visiting defenders making it difficult for them to play their way out of trouble, often just lashing it away quickly.


The Seasiders made the change to try freshen up the midfield with the introduction of Clarke for Turville who had put in a great shift and the change kept the battle for supremacy in the balance with Moore providing the supply out wide for Ferris and Duncan on the flanks.


With 20 minutes to go Bangor finally got their just rewards with Lee using her strength and determination to get in on the right hand side and having created the opening, buried in with some style to close the gap to just one goal.


Having got deservedly back into the contest, the Seasiders had then a great claim for a penalty, Lee bundled over heavily, the official though did not see it as a punishable offence and waved play on, despite the striker lying in some distress in the area.


To be fair though, the referee, in this one anyway, was almost flawless, yes, some partisan onlookers may have deemed it as a spot kick, Mr. Ross had called everything right and had kept the game moving so has to be commended for an excellent performance of impartiality throughout the whole encounter.


Bangor pushed and pushed hard for the equaliser, but never really got the momentum going although there was a late half chances for Duncan, Beers and teenager Ferris late on but the visitors held on, as the game came to its conclusion.


Despite the disappointment, Bangor manager Craig remains upbeat: “I was delighted with everything but the result. We closed them down and worked hard all over the pitch, which was one of our aims at the start of the game. It was a spirited display and a good response to our recent dip in form.


“The first goal was a faint fortunate though that happens and hopefully having conceded a few of these long range efforts over the last few weeks, our luck will change and we might get the rub of the green in the remaining fixtures.

“I don’t believe the result reflects how well we played or what we put into this game, and I thought we should have come away with at least a point, considering our contribution to a good and entertaining game of football.
“We are playing reasonably well and certainly are not concerned with our current form. It has been an exciting year at Clandeboye Park, with the signing of a batch of young gifted players. As a very young, new and basically an inexperienced side, this season is about working hard and keep the club moving in the right direction regarding our long term development. And while we are moving albeit at a fairly slow and deliberate rate, we are definitely moving.


“Work has started on the installation of a new surface at Clandeboye Road, and we intend to make full use of these new facilities over the coming winter months in order to develop and enhance not only our first team, but also establish both a Reserve and Junior (Under15) Section very shortly.”

Last Edited on 18-Jun-2011 6:34 AM