Seasiders finish 2011 divisional campaign on a high

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section at Bangor Football Club, completed their 2011 divisional campaign last night (Thursday 11th), finishing on a high following a comfortable 5-1 win over Moyola Park Ladies, at Mill Meadow in Castledawson, making it three wins in a row for the table climbing Seasiders.



Impressive wins over Wellington (7-0), Cappagh Spurs (4-2) preceding this one over the bottom placed side, are enough to elevate the Sammy Mellon and Sons sponsored team up to within a point of fourth place in the division two table.



Had it not been for a disappointing run right in the middle of the season, the Seasiders could well have been pushing for a play-off place, but the side has shown the resilience to put that setback behind them, concentrating on restoring some pride in the closing few weeks of the 4 month competitive campaign.



Once again, it was a grey, damp evening, a recurring feature of a rain dogged 2011 season, however despite the dreary conditions, ladies manager Andy Craig, for the third week in succession, once again had a full squad available for selection.



Missing with a thigh strain was regular goalkeeper Tina Sharpe, McGarry would deputise. Mollie Moore though, a member of the successful Northern Ireland Rosebowl team, who had played earlier that afternoon in the final of the competition, declared herself available for selection if needed, and Kellie Gillies returned from angle ligament damage sustained during the clubs Gala Cup win over Portaferry in July.



So, lining up on the artificial surface in persistent, light drizzle were Leanne McGarry; Alanah Burns, Lisa Gorman, Jenny Boyd and Valerie McKibbin; in midfield were Sophie Ferris, Mollie Moore, Dawn Clarke, Christine Duncan; up front Jessica Beers partnering Natasha Lee. Subs Stevie Clifford, Kellie Gillies, Claire Arthur and Rebekah Adams.



Underway at 7.30 p.m. the visitors seemed to start cautiously, seemingly having difficulty adjusting to the falling rain resting on the carpet-like surface. This handed the initiative to their hosts who were quick out of the stalls and some important defending at the back by Burns and Gilmore, gave the Seasiders the time to settle into the game.



Having seen out this opening ten minute spell, where Moyola had looked the better of the two sides, Bangor finally found some rhythm, Duncan was to have an influential evening on the left side of midfield, and was consistently causing the right back all sorts of problems with her pace, presented the first opportunity for Lee who drew a good save.



With the early nerves dispelled the visitors started to put together some good football, with Beers, Burns and Ferris on the right hand side playing through the Moyola midfield. While on the left Duncan tormenting the right back at every opportunity, got in behind the Moyola defence and her pass picked up the front running Lee who broke clean and despite taking it out wide when rounding the keeper, the Seasiders leading goalscorer was able to turn the ball across the penalty area, where Ferris coming in from the right hand side, neatly swept the ball home in at the back post to open the scoring.



Having got the lead, this did settle the visitors down and with Moyola on the back foot, Bangor enjoyed a good spell where the team started to play the ball along the ground and Moore was able to use the width of the pitch with some clever use of the football.

Sophie Ferris scored twice for the Seasiders

While not as dominant as recent games, Bangor were starting to edge the contest in midfield and it was not too long before the second goal arrived. Beers partnering Lee up front drew the Moyola defence out to the right hand side and a ball across found Duncan on the left side, who broke free and blasted one low into the corner to double the visitors advantage.



Bangor, clearly finding another gear started to take the game to their hosts and some determined work at the back saw Boyd breaking out from centre half in full flow. The defender and the Seasiders 2010 player of the year, broke one, then two tackles and finding herself bearing right down on the Moyola box laid the ball across to Beers who made it three, as Bangor hit cruise control. Unfortunately this one was ruled out for a very late offside decision, which surprised even the home side who were already preparing for the restart.



With Moyola at this point just trying to hold out until half time, Bangor continued to pummel their opponents with some good football. Moore moving the ball around from the centre of the park was finding Ferris with some defence splitting passes. Clarke also got into the action; dragging a shot wide after Lee had provided the lay-off.



Half time 2-0.




Although satisfied with the score line at the break, Bangor hadn’t really played with any fluency and the team were sent out to finish the game off. Changes too, Clifford on for Clarke; Adams replacing McKibbin in a straight swap as manager Craig wanted everyone to be involved in this, the last game of the season.



With Bangor starting the second half much better than they had started the first, Lee was immediately involved, blasting one just over the bar from the edge of the penalty area. Beers also got in behind the Moyola defence but lashed her shot wide.

Jessica Beers with her ninth strike made it 3-0

On the right, Ferris also had a good chance, having applied the pressure on a short back pass, nicked the football and hit the by-line, the industrious Beers met her cross but again the young forward shaded the wrong side of the upright.



Boyd having been moved into midfield was also involved in some clever build up play. Combining with Moore, created yet another chance for Lee, who again forced a good save from the home keeper who pushed the shot out for a corner.



With the visitors now in total control, the third goal which had been threatened arrived, Jessica Beers with her ninth strike of the season taking the half chance well and making no mistake with a good finish to virtually secure the points would be on their way to the North Down seaside.




Moyola did continue to frustrate the Seasiders with some good defending but Lee, who was having one of those nights, finally got the visitors fourth. A goal which would install the Seasiders leading goalscorer for the third consecutive season, as second top markswomen in the second division, with a final league tally of 19 goals to her name.



Not to be out done Ferris, enjoying her best game for the club on the right hand side of midfield, once again combined with Beers and the youngster found herself bearing down on goal with just the impressive Moyola shot-stopper to beat. With a coolness which defied her years the 15-year old calmly slotted home her second goal of the night and the Seasiders fifth of the evening.



With the game heading into the final 10 minutes Arthurs came on for Beers as the Seasiders were guilty of going a little gung-ho, with both McGarry and Clifford pushing up from the back. Centre half Clifford on one occasion finding herself inside the Moyola penalty box and clearly over excited, blasted into the side netting,



Last five, and with the Seasiders over committing at a corner kick, a clever clearance right through the middle of the park was picked up by a Moyola striker who outpaced the Bangor defence and despite the best efforts of Gilmore in goal, managed to find the inside of the post as the ball span in to give the home side a very late consolation goal.

Bangor Ladies lining up at Moyola Park, last Thursday evening in their last competitive league game of 2011

Last Edited on 15-Aug-2011 1:55 PM