Back to back wins as Bangor finish 2008 campaign with clean sheet

Christine McNamara open the scoring early on
CRUSADERS 0, BANGOR LADIES 3

Bangor Ladies, the official ladies section of Irish League premiership side Bangor Football Club, took over third position in the 2008 league table last Monday (25th) evening - with a satisfying win up at The Diamond in Rathcoole, where they comfortably put away their Bank holiday opponents Crusaders Ladies 3-0.


It was certainly an impressive performance for Andy Craig’s side, a third win out of the last four games - and the elevated league position, gives the club a chance to build and look to improve over the next four months.


It was again a good strong line up: Bridget Finegan back in goals, and for the first time this season an unchanged back four of Paula Dougherty, Kim Dockery, Val McKibben and Suzanne Rea. These were protected by Trish Webb and Petra Armstrong in the middle of the park, with Carolyn Scott and Christina McNamara providing the width. Up front was Dee Savage and Tina Sharpe.


Again the Seasiders started very strongly and were forcing a good tempo in the early exchanges, something which they had managed to maintain against a young Blackieville side just four days earlier.


With the back four composed and not trying to complicate things, this rippled a confidence through the side, the middle of the park protected by a midfield shield, allowed the team to get forward on the flanks and take the game right to Crusaders.


The neat exchanges in a tight midfield exposed Crusaders, first Sharpe had a half chance then partner Savage forced a good save. However, the bright start did pay dividends as Tina McNamara slammed home the opener, from the edge of the penalty area, after just 8 minutes to settle the visitors and give Bangor an early advantage.


With the cushion of being a goal up the Seasiders were happy to soak up the Crusaders response. The defensive unit holding a high line, the midfield restricted the home side to hit and hope tactics which made it all too easy for Finegan, who just had to wait for the ball over the top and gather it in.


With the side looking sharper, McNamara running at will down the right wing, and again striker Savage showed great strength and almost doubled the lead after some good work won a corner, swung in by Scott from the right.


With Bangor still in control, Suzanne Rea, who has been the clubs utility player this season, having appeared in all sixteen games this season; played a great first time ball from the left back position which released Armstrong in the middle of the park. The midfielder burst through, rode a last ditch tackle and calmly made it two nil with a good, neat finish.


Crusaders did try and get something going, but credit to the back line and keeper Finegan, who were dealing with any threat with some decisive and straight forward basic defending - keeping it simple - Dockery at anchor, sweeping up anything which had a sniff of danger.


With just eight minutes of the first half remaining Bangor went further head. This time through leading goalscoring for three consecutive season in a row for the Seasiders - Dee Savage who netted for the fourth game in a row and adding to her personal tally of 15 strikes this season.

Deirdre Savage tops the goalscoring charts for the third successive season

The changes at half time saw Webb switched to left back - and the introduction of the 2007 young player of the year Jenny Boyd, who has topped her performances of last season - playing with more conviction and confidence, particularly over the last few games.


While the second half was more even, Bangor perhaps mentally sitting back and protecting the lead - Crusaders didn’t really get anything going, and were restricted to a few long range efforts comfortably dealt with by Finegan.


Proving to be a much tighter affair and eagerly contested, Bangor were still in the ascendancy, particularly on the wings, where McNamara and Scott were skinning their respective full back and getting good depth. Strikers Savage and Sharpe were also putting themselves about, looking for the killer goal which would put this one out of Crusaders reach.


The best chance of that fourth goal was carved out by Carolyn Scott on the left, with some good determined forward play which saw her breakthrough a tough tackle and bear down on goal - driving a fierce effort which rattled the Crusaders crossbar.


Minutes later Scott again hit the woodwork - this time after some clever stuff in the middle of the park - Armstrong and Boyd interchanging and slipping the ball through the Crusaders back line.

Suzanne Rea in her 16th game in a row for the Seasiders

While Bangor probed for another strike - the home side tried hard to rally, the withdrawal of young Bangor striker Sharpe as a precaution, took a bit out of the attack of the Seasiders, although replacement Brittain did well, and had half a chance late on.


Despite some cynical football by the North Belfast side, the Seasiders didn’t allow themselves to be drawn into anything untidy and played the more attractive stuff, further frustrating a Crusaders team, who just couldn’t get anything out of the watertight Bangor defence.


With the two teams cancelling each other out, the game finished without any further incident - though with 9 points out of the last 12 available, the Seasiders finishing their season on a high and in a very creditable third spot in the Intermediate B Division league table.

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Kits to be returned over the next two weeks

The club will be continuing to train for the next two Sundays - just to wind down after a long season which began on May 1st. All players are instructed to report and make sure to bring the respective club equipment; and also make sure that they are clear on the books before September 14th.

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Last Edited on 5-Sep-2008 10:04 AM