The first ever derby game between the neighbouring clubs

POINTS SHARED IN LOCAL DERBY CLASH

Bangor Ladies clashed with their nearest geographical rivals in the shape of visitors Ards Raiders at home on Tuesday evening (6th) in what was billed as the first ever ‘derby’ game between the two clubs, in an NIWFA Intermediate B Division League game.

This match represented the first of a series of games between the neighbouring clubs, and based on the evidence of this match-up these games promise to be fierce, fuelled by the historical intense rivalry between the two towns, giving the fixture a real cup final flavour.

The Newtownards side arrived at the Bloomfield Road Playing Fields with a good and talented team, bolstered by some seasoned and experienced footballers - and this blend has given them a reasonable start to their divisional campaign and more importantly, approaching the half way stage, a top three position in the 2006 league table.

Squad: Peggy Matthews C, Jacki Price, Kim Dockery, Cathy Duncan, Julie Graham; Christina McNamara, Lisa Mahood, Susan Cull, Carolyn Scott, Trish Webb, Deirdre Savage. Subs: Joanne Williamson, Angi Young.

The fixture got underway on time, although was clouded in some late controversy - the referee stating that the pitch had been marked out incorrectly, although the match was to go ahead, despite this oversite by the Council.

With the blistering sunshine of the last week starting to give way, the clash got off to a rousing start, the visitors kicking off and starting quickly - both goalkeepers though afforded early touches.

Lisa Mahood opened the scoring in this one

Despite the visitors starting the better, the tables were quickly turned when from a throw in on the right, which was taken quickly, the ball was sent down the line to an alert Lisa Mahood, who with her back to goal some 20 yards out, turned and struck a long range effort which drifted over a stranded goalkeeper to give the Bangor outfit the early advantage, and their first goal in almost two and a half hours.

Bangor almost doubled that lead some 10 minutes later, when from a corner on the right, the ball was met clean on the volley by Kim Dockery, charging in unmarked, but blasted over with the goal at her mercy.

With both sides creating chances in an open game, the match swung back in favour of the visitors and they were back on level terms after 20 minutes, with a good finish levelling the contest - then the Raiders almost went ahead, again from a corner, this time Matthews pushing the ball against the bar, thankfully it fell kindly for her to gather in.

Kim Dockery then went close again, this time with a free kick from 20 yards which sailed over - it was enthralling stuff as both sides again had half chances, with the pace relentless.

Trish Webb enjoys a role up front in the first half

As the half came to a conclusion, a late call for a spot kick was ignored, when an Ards striker burst through, Dockery back in defence, on hand to get across for the saving tackle, and the ball was put out for a corner. Half time 1-1.

With the restart Bangor Ladies again started strongly, Lisa Mahood linked up with Dockery and almost immediately from the kick off released a quick thinking Savage with a neat exchange, she burst clean through going one on one with the Ards goalkeeper - her low dragged shot edging agonisingly wide of the left hand upright and away to safety.

A change after just a couple of minutes saw the introduction of Joanna Williamson in for Julie Graham at left back, Trish Webb switched to centre half with Kim Dockery pushed up front alongside Savage, to try and push the visitors back.

The game was end to end stuff - with both keepers exploiting the ability to kick the ball deep into each others halves - the chances were starting to fall as the tempo of the game seem to increase as the match went on.
With just 15 minutes of the second half gone Kim Dockery played the ball of the game - splitting the visiting defence with a deep inch perfect pass to a lively Christina McNamara on the right and her cross just failed to get the necessary connection.

Again a half chance fell to Savage and she broke one tackle to get behind the Ards defence and her low drive was well saved, the rebound fell wide out right to McNamara following up, who instinctively took the effort first time, the ball drifted wide of the empty net.

It was frantic stuff and proving a good game - both sides sensing the rivalry and both wanting to win - the short pitch causing the game to be very condensed and the ball went from one box to the other. The Bangor defence were solid, Jacki Price on the right was having another good game and in the middle Webb and Duncan were playing with confidence, with Joanne Williamson on the left doing the simple things well - although they were one or two jittery moments as the game went into the final 10 minutes and the points were still up for grabs.

The Raiders though had their best chance of the night and looked to have snatched the lead and the points when from a break down the right hand side, the ball was cut across the middle of the park where it found a Ards boot and with Matthews beaten the near post, the ball rattled the crossbar and fell luckily for Duncan to clear.

Deirdre Savage hauled down, but no decision given

The second penalty shout of the evening soon followed and with the same result - the referee choosing to ignore the claims, as Savage got beyond the defence again, only to be hauled back and dragged to the ground. With just 10 to go, Lisa Mahood then had a effort from a free kick, which beat the wall but sailed past the right upright.

In the dying minutes of the game, again Savage was floored, this time by a lunge by the visiting goalkeeper which took her feet, knocking her off balance, snatching the chance away, but to her credit she remained on her feet, but once again the referee let the challenge go unpunished and waved play on - even in the final seconds both teams were looking for the winner but time ran out and the game finished 1-1.

Although both teams will be unhappy with the point - it was a good game played at a very high tempo - while both sides can argue they were the better team, both probably had late chances to snatch the points but in the end - they cancelled each other out and the game finished with the points shared.

Susan Cull gave 100% sitting in front of the back four

Despite the intensity of the fixture off the field - the football on the park itself, reflected a genuine effort between two teams wanting to play attractive, attacking football - and while this game ended in stalemate, it was certainly a tremendous advert for the local game - and of the two sides North Down finished the stronger - a feature which is a very important aspect and one which is an encouraging statistic.

The two teams will next meet again in what will be their final league games of the season in September, at Londonderry Park, Newtownards - and both will go into that one with some unfinished business on their minds.

For North Down Ladies it was again a good response after some disappointing results over the last few weeks, this game represented another solid performance and another gauge up the learning curve of a new club. The progression from week to week is tangible and the club is slowly coming to terms and grasp the work rate and demands of competing for a full ninety minutes against some formidable sides in their division - so its very much a point gained in that respect.

Bangor’s Cathy Duncan, drops in to cover Joanna Williamson in defence

A good team performance, Cathy Duncan having a great second half, Lisa Mahood back in the thick of the action and Susan Cull doing well in front of the back four. Though on the night once again striker Deirdre Savage stood out, having a storming game up front, despite some close attention, was causing the Ards defence all sort of problems with her strength and pace. In her first ever season of competitive football, she seems to be relishing the challenge and takes each game in her stride, and is developing into a really top class footballer.

Last Edited Guest on 11-Jul-2006 5:30 AM