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Seasiders turn the tables on league leaders
Bangor Ladies 5, Saint Matthews 2

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Premier League side Bangor F.C, took on the Intermediate B Division leaders and previously unbeaten Saint Matthews Ladies on Thursday (10th) evening at the Bloomfield Road Playing Fields, producing the biggest result of the season so far.

East Belfast side Saint Matthews arrived on the North Down coast with a perfect record in the Intermediate division: played 7, won 7; goals for 30, against 2; topping the table by three points from Knockbreda Parish Ladies. Bangor Ladies in contrast had been struggling, having only recorded one win in their previous seven games. What had started as a promising year, had frustratingly hit the rocks, with the side constantly been hit by unavailability and an ever changing personel.

Dee Savage scored twice in Bangors 5-2 triumph

In a refreshing change for Bangor manager Andy Craig, who had a full compliment of players at hos disposal for the first time this season and this seemed to impact on to the team who started - with players relishing the battle for a place in the starting line up.

New signing Bridget Finegan made her debut in nets. The back four of Paula Dougherty, Christine Morrison, Kim Dockery and Hannah Smyth, protected by a midfield quartet of Susanna Rea, Cathy Duncan, Christina McNamara and Petra Armstrong and the attack again spearheaded by regular front pairing of Dee Savage and Tina Sharpe. On the bench were Jeni Boyd, Sam Brittain, Margaret McDowell and Valerie McKibben. Also on the line, supporting the club was Trish Webb, who had been out all year with a knee injury sustained in pre season training - but thankfully is now making a gradual recovery.

With the match underway at the scheduled time of 7.30 p.m., it was Saint Matthews who started stronger and in the first exchange almost took the lead - Finegan out quickly to stamp her authority on the game with a good stop at the feet of an opposing striker.

Bangor did settle quickly and after the shaky start seemed to find that extra gear which has deserted them in recent weeks - the midfield battle determining the pace of the game.

Paula Dougherty was back in at right back on Thursday night for the Seasiders

Bangor were pushing the visitors back and a corner from Kim Dockery almost gave the Seasiders the lead - McNamara rose in the penalty box to meet the cross but the powerful header skimmed over.

A quickly taken free kick, on 15 minutes seem to catch the Bangor defence on the back foot and the ball found its way through the defensive unit and was quickly pounced on by an alert Saint Matthews forward who chased the pass down and rifled a fierce effort at Finegan. Despite a good stop by the Bangor No.
1 the ball dropped kindly for the visitors and a Saint Matthews forward tucked it away to put the league leaders ahead.

The set pieces were causing the visitors a problem - McNamara who had a great opportunity in the first half had two half chances - one she again headed over and the other she met superbly on the volley but again blasted over At the other end Dougherty cleared off the line after another fine save from Finegan

Bangor Ladies face Knockbreda again on Monday 21st

The response to going behind from the Seasiders was good and the strike partnership of Savage and Sharpe continued to cause all sorts of problems, both having half chances. Savage from a clever ball from Dockery broke behind the defence and dragged an effort wide - while Sharpe forced a save at the back stick from the Saint Matthews goalkeeper and was first to the loose ball but only managed to turn it the wrong side of the upright.

Some key tackles at the back from Dougherty and Morrison kept the Seasiders in the game at this point with Kim Dockery playing just a yard deeper and sweeping any ball hit over the defence and with Finegan dominating her penalty area Bangor weathered this 10 minute spell.

Bangor striker Dee Savage who had started slow was now up to the pace of the game and her strength and persistence proved to much for the visitors as she seized on an half chance and slotted the ball into the corner for the equaliser.

At this point Bangor were giving as good as they were getting with it being difficult to see which of the two teams on show were topping the division and which was labouring at the wrong end of the table.

The second half got underway and Bangor were starting to find some of the confidence that had deserted them in previous weeks - but were caught high up the field as the team tried to press the visitors in their half.

With the defence pushed up, a ball over the top released the Saint Matthews front pair who looked offside, but the referee let it go. Goalkeeper Finegan had no chance faced with the two strikers and Saint Matthews, despite the protests from the home side were able to restore their goal advantage.

Petra Armstrong hit a quick fire double to put Bangor ahead

The industrious Sharpe found McNamara and her charge down the right almost brought a goal - the goalkeeper stifling the effort at the second attempt.

With Bangor starting to get down the flanks of the stretched Saint Matts defence - the goal which threatened eventually arrived courtesy of Armstrong, cleverly tucking the ball in at the back post to bring the Seasiders level at 2-2.

This seemed to knock the confidence out of the visitors and in contrast it was the Seasiders who were now looking the stronger and quickly found back of the net again - again Armstrong the scorer with a nice tap in after great work by McNamara.

With the Bangor defence holding a high line, the visitors were restricted to try to play through the midfield, the pairing of Duncan and Rea putting a good work rate while on the flanks Armstrong and McNamara posed the biggest threat with their pace.

Having taken the lead with 15 minutes to go, Bangor were now all over the visitors and looked comfortable at the back as the team continued to show the confidence which has been lacking in the last month.

With the previously unbeaten Saint Matthews on the ropes the Seasiders took full advantage of a punch drunk defence and Sharpe added a fourth to compound the homes sides advantage. Saint Matthews, who had only conceded 2 goals all season were now 4-2 down and clearly all at sorts,

The final action of the evening saw the Seasiders, now in total control, with Saint Matthews wounded, Savage pounced with just 3 minutes left on the clock for her seventh goal of the season to complete a comprehensive 5-2 triumph for the Seasiders.

The club now take on Knockbreda next Monday (21st) evening away, hopefully this win against the league leaders will give the side the confidence to go on a decent run and elevate the side up the league table. Players are asked to meet at the Valentines at 6 pm sharp.

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Last Edited on 28-Aug-2008 11:50 PM