Preview of the Bangor - Newtownards derby game

Bangor lose out in Irish Cup thriller
Derry City Ladies 5, Bangor Ladies 4

Oakgrove College, Londonderry, May 18th

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, made the long trip to Londonderry for their 1st round Coca Cola Irish Cup fixture against Derry City, last Monday evening, only to lose out in a 9-goal end-to-end thrilling contest.

Assistant Ladies Manager at Clandeboye Park, Leanne McGarry took charge of the squad for this one, and her team put in a valiant effort against the higher ranked side, the result in the balance right up until the final minute as Bangor came back well in the second half of the game from 5-2 down.

Squad: Bridget Finegan; Paula Dougherty, Leanne McGarry (C), Christine Morrison, Rachel Bates; Christina McNamara, Petra Armstrong, Jenny Boyd, Carolyn Scott, Natasha Lee, Dee Savage. Subs: Carol Cummings, Trish Webb, Lauren McAteer and Julie Haslam.
The Brandywell side, who are in a division above Bangor have started very well in the league this season, despite losing their first fixture, they have responded by winning their last three divisional games, two just last week - an 8-0 win against Foyle ladies and then as 3-0 win at home over Dungoyne Ladies - so they would be in confident mood when Bangor Ladies arrived for this cup fixture at the Oakgrove pitches.

Round One of the Irish Cup

The dark, threatening clouds which hovered menacingly over the Glenshane Pass had given rise for concern as Bangor pulled into the venue - but thankfully the ground, drenched earlier that evening, was passed as playable and the game got underway shortly after 7.30 p.m.

It was Bangor who started the brighter and within the first ten minutes had forged into the lead - Natasha Lee, from a clever knock on by strike partner Savage blasted the Seasiders ahead with a driving finish.

Things could have got better for the North Down visitors - as first Savage had a chance to double their advantage, then from the penalty spot, after Lee was brought down, Armstrong should have scored - but on 20 minutes there was still just the one goal in it.

Derry City Ladies, getting more and more in the contest got just the lift they needed on 25 minutes from a needlessly conceded corner - which wasn't properly cleared, the ball was swept over from the right and the home side equalised with a well taken back post header.

Bangor immediately responded, restoring their one goal advantage as McNamara struck her first goal of the season from 20 yards catching the whole Derry defence out as the effort sailed over the keeper and high into the top corner. 2-1

Again the momentum of the fixture changed as this time it was the home side who quickly responded to make it 2-2 in what was turning out to be an enthralling offensive game of football. Bangor down one end had another chance - Savage striking the crossbar while Derry also showed how good a side they were and got themselves in front just before the break.

The interval gave a chance for McGarry to try and rally her side - who, although trailing for the first time this season, were still very much in the game and had they taken their chances would probably be leading at this point. But any hope of getting into the contest again quickly evaporated as Derry came out and steam rolled over the visitors with, first a penalty, and then another goal from a well worked set piece from the home side - who were now threatening to run away with the contest.

Leeanne McGarry, who took charge of the Seasiders in the Irish Cup fixture

At 5-2 Derry seemed content to sit back and let the Seasiders have a go at them, hopefully that would give them the opportunity to increase their advantage on the break, while protecting their comfortable 3 goal advantage. The response was evident with the North Down side pushing more and more into the Derry back line, looking the team most likely to nick something at this stage - while Derry City Ladies remained a potent threat and on one occasion rattled the crossbar.

While the midfield were lacking in the first half, Boyd and Armstrong got more into the contest and both put in a very good shift just when it was needed. With Savage and Lee getting better service there was always a chance of something happening.

Then the first glimmer of a come back - a corner won after great work by McNamara, who kept the visitor's tempo from dipping with some surging runs down the right hand side. Lee sent the corner in and McGarry rose at the back post to power the visitors within two goals of forcing extra time.

Although this did rattle City momentarily, they kept their composure going into the last 15 minutes of what had been an end to end entertaining football game played by two attacking sides. Bangor still looking to get back into the game and Derry still very dangerous on the break.

With ten minutes on the clock, Natasha Lee in what is becoming trademark style, burst through with her pace and strength getting the behind the left back and the teenager scored her second of the game with a great finish - firing Bangor within touching distance at 5-4.

To be fair to Derry City didn't panic or change their game plan and knew they only had to see out the remaining few minutes to get through to the next round - and the home side did just that - defending well and denying the Seasiders any real scoring opportunities in the closing few minutes - and the game finished 5-4.

Bangor Ladies would like to congratulate Derry City Ladies, on their win which was deserved and wish them continued success in the competition. It was a great game, played in the right way and with probably the right result. The visitors would also like to mention the excellent referee who marshalled this one, he allowed the game to flow and when it is often so easy to criticise and gripe about the official - there are no complaints from the Seasiders.

Natasha Lee put away a cup double at Oakgrove College

McGarry: "I'm gutted to have lost this game. We've scored four on the road, but got nothing. We were not ourselves in the first half, but lifted our game in the second half and that was pleasing, and kept it going right until the end looking and working for an equaliser - but it wasn't to be."

Bangor will have to pick themselves up and dust themselves off - as they now face a massive derby game at Clandeboye Park against their unbeaten Newtownards rivals 1st Bangor (Ards). That one kicks off at 7.30 p.m. and with a place at the top of the table the prize should also be a great game and hopefully as good, and as exciting as the cup game, but hopefully with Bangor restoring their pride with a reasonable result.

Good to see Rachel Bates, back in the side, with Sharpe out for the season, McGarry also now out for a few weeks, Duncan on holiday - its some positive news at Clandeboye Road.

Leanne McGarry got Bangor Ladies back into the fixture

Last Edited on 26-May-2009 3:12 PM