Preview of the Bangor - Newtownards derby game

Bangor at home in top of the table derby fixture
Bangor v. 1st Bangor (Ards)

First leg at Clandeboye Park - May 26th

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, will welcome their Newtownards neighbours 1st Bangor to Clandeboye Park next Tuesday (26th) for the first leg of the big home and away ‘derby’ clashes scheduled this season.

There is always a bit extra to play for when these towns face up to each other – at whatever level and this ladies football fixture adds another dimension to the age-old rivalry. Add to the fact that both clubs are unbeaten this season, are currently first and second in the league table, separated by just two points, and this one certainly will be an enthralling game.

The Portaferry Road side, who have two teams playing football in the league this season, are proving their worth in the NIWFA, having started their first ever competitive season exceptionally well – winning three out of four so far and drawing 0-0 in the other one.

Two clubs unbeaten - go head to head

Home in the first game, Bangor are also boasting a impressive start with an 100% record so far this season in the league so when these two teams go head to head on Tuesday 26th, both unbeaten records will be on the line.

The Bangor side, in their fourth season in the NIWFA, are no strangers to these derby encounters having taken on Ards Raiders on three occasions - winning 1, losing 1 and drawing the third. Probably the most memorable of these games was at Londonderry Park in 2006, when these two rivals clashed for the first time ever.

The Raiders got off to a flying start, bagging three goals without reply in the first 15 minutes. However the Seasiders responded with a juggernaut offensive performance steam rolling over their young rivals with a 7-goal blitz which wiped the Premier club out in some style.

A hat trick from Dee Savage was the highlight in a pulsating display of highly entertaining football as Bangor recorded their biggest away win of that season – also netting an impressive 7 times in a row – a league record for the North Down club.

This record was only recently toppled with the outstanding display at Clandeboye Park against Millisle team Abbey Villa at the start of this season. The Seasiders setting a new record of 8 in a row!

1st Bangor (Ards) Ladies Football Club

While both clubs have 1st Round Irish cups games next week (18th) both these sides will be concentrating on finishing in the top half of their league table come September so both would probably be happier to take the points in the leage game than/or progress to the 2nd round in the cup.1st Bangor will no doubt come into the game with all guns blazing and both teams will be looking to take the opportunity to go clear at the top in the division so it certainly will be an important game.
The Drome Park side have posted some good results starting with a 3-0 win at home to Ballyvange, then posting a 0-0 draw down at Downpatrick, the only points dropped so far.

The Ards side then recorded back to back wins against Wellington Ladies, on the road, and more recently a fantastic result at home to Ballynahinch – so there is not a lot between the two clubs on paper – which should make the game even more intriguing.

The Seasiders have also started this season’s divisional campaign in great form and remain unbeaten since premier side Loughgall Lakers turned them over at Clandeboye Park six weeks ago – since then the club have won six straight. On the road over Portaferry, Knockbreda, Rossglass and Killyleagh with victories at home over Ballyvange and Abbey Villa – so the Seasiders will be hoping to continue this successful run.

Bangor Ladies Football Club

Bangor also have the experience of having been around a lot longer than their Newtownards opponents have, and have felt the pressure, and the highs and lows of the expectations of a ‘derby’ game. Whether that will be an advantage only time will tell. The visitors are clearly the younger of the two sides and will hope this will play out in their favour – but we’ll have to wait and see.

It is still too early in the season to start predicting the outcome of the championship, the third division has an array of decent teams who, with holidays and injuries always a factor, will start to nick some decent results and points of each other. That will make each week, as it was in the good old intermediate B division last season, one to keep an eye on the results filtering through.

The match, scheduled to take place at Clandeboye Park, is the Seasiders last game at their home arena. The Irish League ground is due to close on the 30th for important maintenance and repair work.

While it certainly isn’t a league decider, it’s only May by the way! It does present both teams with the opportunity to get one over on their closest rivals – and with top spot in the league table at stake – it should give the game that extra edge.

The fixture will kick off at 7.30 p.m. and hopefully will be a good advert for ladies football played in the right spirit, a high tempo and be enjoyable what ever the outcome.

Christina McNamara powers above the young Ards Raiders team.

Last Edited on 15-May-2009 9:01 AM