Carolyn Scott in the seasons opener at Clandeboye Park

Clandeboye Park start for Bangor Ladies
Bangor Ladies 1, Donegal Celtic 4

New look Seasiders launch divisional campaign

BANGOR LADIES, the official ladies section of Premiership side Bangor Football Club, were punished for a slow start in their opening fixture in 2009, against West Belfast side Donegal Celtic at Clandeboye Park last Thursday (19th) evening.

The fixture marked the launch of the Seasiders fourth consecutive season as participants in the sports governing body, the Northern Ireland Women’s Football Association – which will get underway officially next month.

The 2008 NIWFA National league runners up, arrived in Bangor with a formidable divisional record - beaten only twice last season – topping the goals scored column and also boasting the most miserly defence.

In training since early February, with a few games already under their belts, DC are a strong, young, fit and established footballing side, so it was a good test for the local ladies team.

In contrast, the Seasiders were playing their first competitive fixture since September last year, a 3-0 victory over Crusaders. Refreshingly, new management team of Andy Craig and Leanne McGarry had the luxury of a full squad, fielding no fewer than 6 players who would be making their senior debuts for the club.

What had been a pleasant, bright and clear day, turned a bit nippy, the temperature dropping rapidly, as a damp, freezing mist rolled in from Bangor Bay to engulf the Clandeboye Road arena by the time the game got underway at 7.30 p.m.

Right from the first minute Donegal Celtic, showed the difference a couple of weeks make in Pre-Season. The visitor’s were just that yard quicker than the Seasiders, this sharpness exposed the lack lustre start by the home side.

The starting line up: Bridget Finegan, Rachel Bates, Leanne McGarry, Trish Webb, Paula Dougherty; Christina McNamara, Jenny Boyd, Carol Cummings, Carolyn Scott; Natasha Lee, Dee Savage. Subs (all involved): Sam Brittain, Maggie McDowell, Tina Sharpe, Sam Bakewell, Niomi McCullough, Lynsey Ruddock and Julie Haslam.

Although an experimental line up, four players making debuts for the North Down club, there was the ingredient of experience which would hopefully settle the Seasiders.

However, the DC team just too quick out of the stalls and it wasn’t long before they opened the scoring – goalkeeper Finegan left exposed at the back, a visiting forward nicked in to tuck a good finish into the corner.

The Seasiders were slowly upping the gears and tying to at least get about the DC midfield, Boyd and Cummings provided the bite, Scott and last season’s Player of the Year McNamara, the width.

Part of the defensive quartet Webb settled at the back against DC

However, the visitors doubled their advantage in the 26th minute, taking advantage of the rustiness of a team who had just got up to the pace of the game.

To be fair, on the half hour Bangor were starting to compete - the partnership up front of leading goalscorer Savage and teenager Lee were starting to get at the DC defence. This combination saw Savage manage to create the home side’s first real chance, Lee’s strength and tenacity creating the opening – Savage pushing the chance just wide of the upright.

At the back - the defensive quartet of Dougherty, McGarry, Webb and Bates had seemingly weathered the early storm - and were settling into the pace of the game.

A potentially nasty incident just before the break, Savage bravely going in for a fifty/fifty took a late hit. Thankfully what looked, at first, a horrible clash of heads only needed a quick appliance of ice, though both players were withdrawn as a precaution. While the Seasider’s No. 9 was able to continue, unfortunately the DC defender took no further part in the game, although not seriously injured.

Dee Savage off with a head injury - thankfully was able to return

The first of the multiple changes saw the introduction of striker Sharpe, Lee dropping into the midfield. Bangor were now, in the contest with the reunification of last year’s twin strikers applying the pressure.

Just before the break, Scott had Bangor’s best chance to reduce the arrears, arriving unmarked at the back post, but just a fraction too late to take advantage to sweep the ball in – Half Time 2-0.

The game plan at the break was to make wholesale changes giving everyone a run out. Although the club had been in training since the beginning of the month - the element of match fitness is key to the clubs preparations for the 2009 divisional championships. Leanne McGarry was the only exception, the newly appointed assistant manager taking an opportunity to get to grips with the team from out there on the pitch where it matters.

Lynsey Ruddock, Jenny Boyd and Tina Sharpe in action on Thursday night

After the interval Haslam was introduced along with Ruddock and McCullough, both making debuts, while Brittain had a cameo stint up front. Teenagers McDowell came in at right back, joining Bakewell as Bangor Ladies youngest ever players. Bakewell provided a glimpse of her talent, cleverly nut megging the DC left back and going through on goal - the youngster just unable to square the ball to the waiting Sharpe.

Despite the changes, the fluency of the team didn’t suffer and it would be fair to say that for fifteen minutes, Bangor’s enjoyed their best spell – restricting DC to counter attacks as the home side tried hard to respond.

McNamara put in a good shift on the right side, was always a threat but also showed a good sense of responsibility, dropping back to cover the young McDowell – who, after a shaky start, didn’t let much get past her.

In the final quarter, Seasiders’ Cummings applying good pressure won the ball, McNamara slid it through to Savage, who burst clear but failed to get a good contact when one on one with the DC keeper.

The visitors however, did break away with 18 minutes to go and added a fourth, although there was a suspicion of offside - the goal stood 4-0.

Bangor pressed again, in the dying embers of the game nicked their first goal of what promises to be a compelling year of ladies football in the NIWFA. Again a slight suspicion of offside but this time, the official thankfully ruled in the Seasiders favour and McGarry pounced after a good corner from Scott, was half cleared and whipped back. Final score: it 4-1.

Manager Andy Craig was upbeat: "We started slow, looked rusty and got just what we deserved. DC were quicker to everything early on, till we got up to the pace of the game - they thoroughly deserved their win. With so many changes and with moving the personnel about, I couldn’t really expect to get the balance of the team right tonight.

But, the game was exactly what we needed, against a quality side. It exposed weaknesses in the side, which we will be working on. At the back both McGarry and Bates, making debuts, settled quickly and the late goal was at least something to take away from the game.

"The several additions this season will strengthen the backbone of the side: Scott, McNamara, Dougherty, Duncan, Boyd and Dockery - while I can rely on changing things with utility players like Webb, Ruddock and Cummings over the next few games."

Natasha Lee in her debut at Clandeboye Park

"Up front, its good as a manager to have other options. We have had to rely on the partnership of Savage and Sharpe keeping themselves fit and having them available, so bringing teenager Lee in up top will be good back up – her contribution in the game was a positive one.

"We also have McCullough, Bakewell and McDowell coming through and these are a promising crop of youngsters, who will be blended into the side over the season - overall I thought we responded very well – it wasn’t a cup final – it was our first outing of the season – hopefully, with some luck and consistency, our last appearance of the 2009 just might be a cup final."

The Seasiders are straight back in action this weekend, with a game up at Ballykillare Sportsplex against Crumlin United Ladies – this is scheduled for a 2.30 p.m. kick off. All available players are expected to report at the venue at 1.30 p.m. NIWFA Registration Forms should be filled in, signed and returned as soon as possible.

Assistant manager Leanne McGarry in her first game with Bangor Ladies

BANGOR DRAWN IN DIVISION THREE

1st Bangor F.C.
Abbey Villa Ladies F.C.
Ballynahinch Olympic F.C.
Ballyvange Ladies F.C.
Bangor Ladies F.C.
Killyleagh YC Ladies F.C.
Wellington Ladies F.C.
Rossglass County F.C.

Last Edited on 28-Mar-2009 8:59 AM