Emphatic Bangor Back To Winning Ways

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section at Bangor Football Club, finally got back to winning ways with an emphatic 7-0 victory away over Wellington Recreational at Brookvale Park, on the outskirts of Larne, last Wednesday (27th) night in the NIWFA Division Two championship.


It was an important win too, as although the Seasiders’ had probably already banked enough points to secure their status in the division, the 3 points that they took away from this game, guarantees that the Sammy Mellon and Sons sponsored team will be once again be back challenging for promotion into Division One next April.

Christine Duncan

With the July holidays effectively over, returning for consideration were Natasha Lee, Lisa Gilmore and Stevie Clifford, so for the first time in recent weeks, manager Andy Craig had the advantage of having a full compliment of players available to choose from. Leaving the North Down coast at 5.45 p.m. in glorious sunshine, the team that lined up under an ever darkening evening sky were Jenny Boyd; Valerie McKibbin, Leanne McGarry, Lisa Gorman; Lynsey Turville; Jessica Beers, Mollie Moore, Dawn Clarke, Sophie Ferris; Tina Sharpe, Natasha Lee. Subs: Stevie Clifford, Claire Arthurs and Christine Duncan.


Despite being on an unenviable run of disappointing results, the visitors had played reasonably well on several occasions during this spell, and started this game strongly, strike partnership Sharpe and Lee combining well early on.


Wellington adopted the risky tactic of playing a high line relying, and on more than one occasion, this did catch the Bangor forwards out, although one of two decisions were at best - debatable.


However a clever through ball from deep by the impressive Gilmore was to prove decisive, Sharpe quick to seize on the chance, calmly rounded the keeper to slot home.


Bangor added another some 8 minutes later; this time the Seasiders leading goalscorer for the last two seasons, Lee burst through and drove in to double the Seasiders advantage.
Wellington had no answer as Clarke and Moore picked them off from midfield and were able to provide the ammunition for the Bangor forwards to pepper what proved to, be on the night, a very good goalkeeper.


Albeit from a combination of disruptive off side decisions and a handful of useful saves Lee and Sharpe could easily have added to the visitor’s advantage, as the Bangor back four of McKibbin, McGarry, Gilmore and Turville looked comfortable and poised at the back.


Just before the break a lively Beers, after good work from Ferris added a third for the Seasiders who by now had full control of the game and were threatening to completely steamroll their Larne hosts.


Ten minutes before the break, as the rain came, Duncan replaced McKibbin, who was protecting an injury and the Seasiders continued to see out the first half in cruise mode, the best chance just before the break falling to the busy Sharpe, and again the keeper made a good stop.


Despite being 3-0 to the good, the team were not playing with any fluency, the game constantly being disrupted by Wellington’s persistent use of the offside tactic and the Bangor strikers being guilty of being caught too easily.

Four goals for no. 4 Natasha Lee

The second half was much more pleasing on the eye with some good solid football being played from the start, and again, it was all one way traffic as the Seasiders simply overran their hosts, Duncan and Ferris now using the flanks to get in behind the predictable offside trap, forcing the defence right back and now setting up a number of good chances.


The Seasiders went further ahead within ten minutes of the restart, a quick fire double from the in-form Lee, completing her hat trick and adding further misery to a clearly rattled Wellington team.


Sharpe forced another couple of saves, as the visitors continued to dominate, teenager Ferris, who is starting to settle, went close with a long range effort from the right hand side which had the impressive stalwart in the Larne goal well and truly beaten, but was denied her first ever strike for the Seniors as the shot dipped and struck the underside of the crossbar.


Clifford on for Turville gave the Seasiders a solid shield for Boyd in the Bangor goal who in truth was never really pushed as the Seasiders controlled the game in midfield. Moore went close from a free kick, then left back Beers supporting Duncan on the left broke away and calmly slotted her second and Bangor’s sixth of the night.


With some 20 minutes left, in the now consistently rain, it was from some good work from Clarke, who kept her composure in a crowded midfield, to send Lee clear and the Bangor striker notched up her fourth strike of the evening before being withdrawn, replaced by Arthurs for the final quarter of an hour.

Tina Sharpe scored her third goal on the season

Bangor continued to press and in truth could easily have notched up a sizeable score line, Duncan and Shape both denied by some good saves, while both Moore and Clarke drove efforts from midfield the wrong side of the upright, as the Seasiders ran out very comfortable winners.


Manager Andy Craig “This was a good night for us. Having a full squad is important and the players have worked very hard over the last few weeks without reward. So, to get the win and also the manner in which we played in spells of the second half was encouraging. Playing the ball along the ground to feet and cutting through the Wellington team with some basic football.


“The team has shown the character to stick together during the last two months, during which we took some hard blows, but we all kept working hard and I believe we are moving in the direction.


“I have a young and relatively inexperienced squad, with no fewer than fourteen players, playing senior football for the first time this season. So, although it has been, at times, a disappointing season, it has proved invaluable in terms of team building and bonding the side together.


“Under the direction of coach Peter Gilmore, will be working very hard over the winter at Clandeboye Park and we will be back next season to show the teams around us, what we are capable of, now we have our rookie year out of the way.”


Training will continue every Sunday; all players both new and old will be very welcome, whether to train for fitness or for fun. More details are available on line at bangorladiesfc.co.uk or by contacting the secretary at 0773 2277854.

Last Edited on 10-Aug-2011 5:48 AM