Bangor maintain 100% winning start
Rossglass 1, Bangor Ladies 5

Ladies hit five on the road

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club were back winning on the road last Tuesday (12th), visiting Rossglass Ladies, at Dunleath Playing Fields in Downpatrick and maintaining their 100% start to the 2009 divisional championships with a 5-1 away triumph.

Although a comfortable win by the end of the evening – Rossglass proved to be a difficult side to beat and, on the hard, bumpy and unpredictable playing surface, certainly gave a good account of themselves for 60 minutes.

Squad: Bridget Finegan; Trish Webb, Cathy Duncan, Leanne McGarry, Julie Haslam; Lauren McAteer, Petra Armstrong, Christina McNamara, Carolyn Scott; Dee Savage, Natasha Lee. Subs: Christine Morrison, Carol Cummings and Rachel Bates.

The game got underway at 7.30 p.m. at the busy sports complex, which was bathed in spring sunshine, although a strong wind swept across the Market Street Playing Fields which, along with conditions under foot, would make a telling contribution to the standard of football played.

Right from the kick off – Rossglass made their intentions clear – to chase, harry and get about the current third division league leaders.

Dee Savage on the score board again as the Seasiders pick up another 3 points

The Seasiders though started well and for the third week in a row snatched an early advantage. Good work from McNamara put through Lee after 6 minutes - the striker just got a touch before an advancing keeper and lobbed the ball towards the goal. Scott following up made sure and slammed it into the empty net to make it 1-0.

Rossglass didn’t panic and just kept to their game plan, forcing Bangor to hurry, and this robbed the Seasiders of any quality, and they were often guilty of giving the ball away too cheaply.

While the pitch certainly was a factor, it would also be fair to say, that far too many Bangor players were just not playing the standard of football they are capable of – and this made it an untidy game to witness early on.

The local outfit however took full advantage of some hesitancy at the back; to get back on level terms on 13 minutes – Mary McGrady netting a scruffy goal, only the second conceded by Bridget Finegan in four games.

Having got into the game, Rossglass showed little respect for the visitor’s good form and tried to push the nervous looking Seasiders back further.

Bangor assistant manager McGarry tangled with a forward just inside the box, and although coming cleanly away with the ball was harshly adjudged to have brought the Rossglass player down – penalty!

Thankfully Rossglass didn’t take full advantage of the ‘soft’ award and Bangor No. 1 Finegan was able to save the spot kick to keep the score level.

With the Seasiders all at sorts at this stage, it took some sterling work by Bangor’s club captain Cathy Duncan to get the visitors back on track. The midfielder switched to centre half emerged from the pack and her leadership kept the side together just when it needed someone to step up and take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Cathy Duncan kept Bangor in the contest with a big performance

With Duncan partnering McGarry clearing up everything, the momentum swung back in favour of the Seasiders – first Savage and then Lee had great chances to restore the lead, both going very close forcing decent stops.

With Bangor playing with some composure at last, the chances came – again Lee burst through and then McNamara forced a corner out on the left.

The cross was swung in deep by Scott and young Lauren McAteer at the back of the penalty area from about fifteen yards cushioned a well executed left foot volley into the top corner – a great strike for the Bangor teenager – her first for the club.

Scott then had a fantastic chance to make it three after a clever one-two with Savage put the club’s current leading goalscorer through – but the midfielder skied it over the bar.

With the game still in the balance, Rossglass tried hard to respond, but full backs Haslam and Webb, who started slowly were now up to the pace of the game and kept them quiet. 2-1 half time.

No. 1 Bridget Finegan made the crucial penalty stop

Manager Craig sent his side out at the start of the second half to respond to the difficult circumstances. To step it up and apply the sort of character required to keep themselves at the top of the table – and to go for the all important killer goal which would hopefully break the resolve of the home support.

Rossglass though started the second half well and certainly let the Seasiders know there was still plenty of football left in the game – indeed almost drawing level with a breakaway effort on 50 minutes - the goal however was rightly ruled out for a blatant offside.

Having survived this scare, Armstrong was sacrificed to push Duncan further up the pitch into the centre of midfield. Morrison coming on to join McGarry at the back.

Whether this was the key to breaking Rossglass down who knows – but the Seasiders never really looked in danger of conceding again.

With the Downpatrick side still trying somehow to edge into the contest, Carol Cummings was put on as the third striker out on the left as Bangor went to kill the home team off – Scott dropped back and the team set up with their most offensive formation.

Carolyn Scott slammed in the opener - another important strike

In the reshuffle McNamara switched to the outside while McAteer tucked in at centre mid - within minutes the third goal arrived.

Although slightly fortuitous in that it was an unfortunate o.g. it was no more than Bangor deserved having now got some shape bout them as the team pushed on, both Lee and Savage taking advantage of the better service up front and keeping the pressure on the tiring defence which caused the error.

The goal settled the North Down nerves and the team were able to relax and steamroll over Rossglass in the closing 20 minutes.

Natasha Lee got the fourth – the tenacity and sheer power of the young striker cut through the Rossglass defence and the finish emphatic – driving home with her left foot from 18 yards to give the keeper no chance.

With the Seasiders now dominating, McNamara playing in the more familiar role out wide on the right then created the fifth and final strike – combining with McAteer to lash a ball across the six yard box, presenting Savage with an opportunity which she gladly swept in.

The last ten minutes saw the introduction of Rachel Bates – the experienced defender, out for the last few weeks due to an ankle ligament injury, returned to the team ahead of schedule which was a major plus for the club.

In the dying embers of the game Lee almost make it six as the home side struggled with her strength and direct approach, which had pulled them apart all evening – this final chance just grazing the wrong side of the post.

Manager Craig: “The first half certainly wasn’t our best – we just didn’t click and seemed to struggle – credit to Rossglass who got about us and caused us a few problems – but the third goal killed the game off.

“That settled us down and we were able to kick on and were never in danger of losing this one – although the scoreline maybe flatters our overall performance – it is always pleasing to take three points, even when not playing as well as we can.

“Some positives – Duncan probably had the her best game of the season and marshalled the middle of the park and got us through that sticky patch when things weren’t going our way.

“We are wearing opposing teams down while only really putting away a third of the chances we are creating – so there is more to come. The strike partnership of Lee and Savage is working well at the moment with 10 goals in 4 games – and Carolyn Scott has been consistent in being in the right place at the right time.

“Also for young McAteer to record her first goal for the club will help her confidence. It was a truly tremendous strike and not too may players have that level of skill and composure to put in that sort of finish.
“And of course it was great to welcome Bates back into the side after what looked to be a nasty long term injury few weeks ago at Killyleagh – so that will give us a huge lift.

“This test of character was just what we needed to get our feet back on the ground – while we have enjoyed a great start to our campaign – injuries, holiday and cry-offs are always a concern.

“There’s certainly a long way to go, I reminded the players that our objective this season was a top three finish and I think we are certainly capable of that – if we press on and keep everyone focussed, and keep working hard on a Sunday afternoon

“Training will continue this Sunday with a fairly light session in preparation for the next big game on the horizon – I’ll be without McGarry and Duncan now. It is time for others to take the chances being offered to them to grab a first team place and keep it.”

Off the pitch the club would like to wish Jenny Boyd a quick recovery after the removal of her wisdom teeth (ouch). And send condolences to Lynsay Ruddock on the recent loss of her grandmother, our thoughts are with her and her family at this difficult time.

Rachel Bates returns after injury gives the side a massive boost

Next up the Seasiders will face the monumental journey to Londonderry next Monday evening (18th), to line up against Derry City Ladies in the 1st Round of the Coca Cola Irish Cup. Before returning to Clandeboye Park for a big “derby game” between a young and talented 1st Bangor representing Newtownards, both games are scheduled for a 7.30 p.m. kick off.

Last Edited on 1-Aug-2009 5:22 AM