Bangor Ladies think positive after another defeat

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section at Bangor Football Club, continue to think positive despite another disappointing night on the road, this time losing 7-2 away to Ballymoney Ladies at The William Pinkerton Primary School in the village of Dervock, in the NIWFA Division Two championships.


The Seasiders went into this one clearly jaded after a run of results which have struck deep in the throats of this young team, and having lost five games in a row, the season which had promised to be quite a memorable one back in April, has sadly evaporated into one which appears to be taunting the very character of this relatively new, young side.


Despite this, the North Down side has everything to play for, and certainly something to prove. In particular, the Sammy Mellon and Sons sponsored club are in good shape to maintain their divisional status, the bright opening of the 2011 campaign which saw victories recorded over rivals Wellington Rec., and Moyola Ladies. Subsequently, with the Seasiders due to face both these two, who languish at the foot of the table, before the conclusion of their campaign, means that any points taken, will at least cement the clubs mid table position.


Lining up on a dry but predictably damp evening: Tina Sharpe; Alanah Burns, Leanne McGarry, Jenny Boyd, Lisa Gorman; Christine Duncan, Molly Moore, Lynsey Turville, Sophie Ferris; Jessica Beers, Natasha Lee. Subs: Kellie Gillies.


Despite the heavy downpours which threatened another washout, the evening remained mostly dry, although underfoot the surfaced was greasy and unpredictably.


A poor opening spell, which saw the Seasiders once again surrender too easily sapped a lot of enthusiasm out of the visitors, and it was difficult to take, as a tame opener from a corner was quickly followed by another soft strike and then to rub salt into open wounds, a low drive which looked harmless enough, took a cruel deflection and shot up past Sharpe in goals.


With Bangor always looking a threat going forward, the talented Mollie Moore did her up-most to haul the visitors back into the contest with a tremendous strike from out wide on the left, her second of the season.


Bangor although pressing were unfortunate not to get any further reward, but were still in the game and had chances, which had they put away would have given this game a far different complexion.


The Seasiders proved in the second half matching their opponents and which saw them really take the game to the visitors giving a very creditable account of themselves in difficult circumstances.


While the result may well suggest a fairly one sided game the match itself was a enjoyable game with both teams at times playing good football and both enjoying dominant spells – the difference being the finishing of the home side tainted with an element of good fortune which clearly favoured the home team when it mattered most.


The visitors at least went into the second half with more belief and played much better with Tina Sharpe, released from goalkeeping duties by Boyd, scoring a impressive individual goal, beating off a number of tackles to neatly tuck away the chance she had created for herself.


While the Seasiders came away with just two of the goals of nine scored, it was small reward for a gritty second half performance, which merited a far more generous return. Natasha Lee striking the woodwork twice, plus two unforgivable misses, the Seasiders really could have forced their way back into a fixture, which appeared dead and buried after the first half.


Positives on the night is the development of Lisa Gilmore at the back, a very young player who has great potential, rarely makes the wrong decision and always gives it 100% whatever the circumstances. Also Mollie Moore who has shown in recent weeks she cares little for reputations or the form book, and keeps going at her opponents with a very high level of competitiveness throughout the fixture. As a young footballer, she has both the technical ability and confidence to cruise through into the Northern Ireland international scene.


Manager Craig: “I know that the players are struggling with the manner of these results, but I see things completely differently, I acknowledge the disappointment but the bigger picture is what is happening at Clandeboye Park both on and off the pitch. Young players are coming through this spell together and sticking together, the work being done will give the club a solid basis to build on over the winter. I would expect to be reeping the rewards of the work which will be put in over the winter by the beginning of next season and we will be ready to show what we are capable of."


Training continues from next Sunday (17th); all players both new and old will be very welcome. More details are available on line at bangorladiesfc.co.uk or by contacting the secretary at 0773 2277854.

Last Edited on 10-Jul-2011 5:58 AM