Bangor slipped down two places in the league table with this defeat

Seasiders slump away from home

Bangor Ladies slumped to a second defeat away from home on Monday (9th) evening, in a game best forgotten, the visitors just could not get into the a match, which, after good performances recently, it was felt they could get something out of this one.

It was a reasonably strong side that manager Andy Craig took up to a very blustery Cherryvale Playing Fields on the Ravenhill Road to challenge unknown quantity Blackieville Ladies in an mid table clash. Strong winds gusting across Belfast Lough, made conditions less than favourable, but far from unplayable as the game kicked off on time at 7.30pm.

For the Seasiders, Kim Dockery and Cathy Duncan returned to the side, who also had Christine Morrison available - out went Jeni Boyd still suffering from last week’s injury so the back four Suzanne Rea, Peggi Bradley, Morrison and Val McKibben lined up in front of Sam Brittain in nets.

The midfield of Christina McNamara, Cathy Duncan, Kim Dockery and Carolyn Scott was fronted by the formidable strike partnership of Dee Savage and Tina Sharpe - so the Seasiders on paper at least, looked set to make of good game of it.

So, with a full compliment of players plus Julie Graham and Lindsay Robb on the bench it was a big improvement of the club’s last away game, when they struggled against Wellington - but at least came away with a hard earned point.

Christine Morrison who has had a great season so far

On Monday night however, despite the numerical set up, the Seasiders just didn’t get into any rhythm, were disjointed, ineffective and by 8.45pm, had got just what they deserved - a 3-2 defeat.

Going a goal down, albeit offside, in the first couple of minutes was no cause for concern - but the lack of any cohesive open play was - with the conditions arguably difficult - it was no excuse for the poor display by the Seasiders.

Up front the ball just would not stick - the midfield was hurried and gave the ball away too easily - and failed to play to the strengths of the side - which is out on the flanks. While at the back - the team were sluggish and looked second best to every ball.

With that early decision going against the Seasiders - a further blow was the referee halting Sharpe, who had burst through from an onside position minutes later, to go one on one, only to be hauled back.

And such was the story of a frustrating first half - Blackieville swamped all over the midfield in numbers and Bangor just did not have an answer - the game lacking any quality or decent patches of possession football.

Some good inswinging corners from the home side were another feature as Bangor struggled to make any impression - redundant wingers McNamara and Scott rarely having the chance to run at the Blackieville defence.

Bangor Ladies struggled last Monday night at Cherryvale

With half time approaching - despite the lack of any real supply - Savage did manage a fierce drive from the right - but the effort shaved the wrong side of the upright.

Although they were a few grumblings about the validity of the home sides first goal - Bangor though, could have no complaints with Blackieville’s second - a home forward casually strolled through the midfield unchallenged to poke a tame effort into the corner 2-0. McKibben was replaced by Graham but the Seasiders still failed to make any impact.

Late in the second half did see an improvement - in the last third anyway, with the visitors at last making some sort of impression - McNamara forcing a good save, while Sharpe also had an effort which the goalkeeper got down well to save.

Another good stop from a corner - Scott delivering a good cross for McNamara to meet flush but again the keeper saved well - at least Bangor were making a contest of it - until they fell further behind - a corner was not cleared dropped kindly to the home side 3-0.

With the Seasiders three down, the team at last offered some offence, while the defensive unit were just all at sea every time Blackieville went at them - whether it was the pace of the attack - or just that they were having an off day - one couldn’t tell.

With just over fifteen minutes to go - Lindsay Robb was introduced - Dockery being replaced in midfield and this seemed to immediately make a positive impact and the young teenager burst though the midfield applying some forward momentum.

The rewards quickly followed - Savage netting the first of the two late strikes - the top goalscorer who had not really made much of an impression all evening, showed good strength to lash in a loose ball from 12 yards.

The second strike came in the dying seconds - Carolyn Scott tapping in for her fourth strike of the season to make the final score 3-2 and gave the fixture the look of an entertaining game - it wasn’t.

Bangor now have two back to back home games coming up

Well done to the home side though - a young, enthusiastic outfit and to their credit what their lacked in technical ability - they more than maded up for in energy.

Credit also to the Blackieville goalkeeper who made three key saves early in the second half which had these been converted, might just have incensed the visitors into waking up - had they managed to get on the scoreboard at that point.

The two late goals however were no consolation to the Seasiders who for the first time this season - just didn’t get out of the traps - Blackieville took advantage of the visitors lack of any quality and were well worth the points - Bangor Ladies went up to Cherryvale with nothing and left with nothing.

Last Edited on 13-Jun-2008 4:28 PM