BANGOR BACK ON TOP

Bangor 4, Killyleagh 1

Seasiders continue to smash records

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, went back to the top of the Coca Cola 3rd Division league table following a 4-1 triumph over visitors Killyleagh Ladies, on Tuesday (7th) evening at Bloomfield Road Playing Fields.

The Sammy Mellon sponsored club responded positively to the news that Newtownards rivals 1st Bangor had taken up poll position, following a 2-1 win just 24 hours earlier on Monday (6th), that put them one point ahead of the Clandeboye Road side.

The Seasiders, currently missing five of last seasons first team regulars, were further reduced with the unavailability of 08 top goalscorer Dee Savage, and 08 Player of the Year, Christina McNamara, both hopefully enjoying their holidays.

Squad: Julie Haslam; Paula Dougherty, Valerie McKibbin, Racheal Bates, Peggy Mathews; Petra Armstrong, Jenny Boyd, Susan Cull, Carolyn Scott; Natasha Lee, Lauren McAteer. Sub Lynsey Turville.

Bangor got off to a perfect start, applying pressure right from the kick off on the visitors who just hadn’t expected the high tempo. The league leaders went ahead, on 3 minutes, after Lee robbed a defender, raced free and struck across and low into the corner with a great finish.

Peggy Mathews, drafted in the July transfer window, is in top form for the Seasiders

This seemed to set the early pace as the Seasiders continued their bright start, the work of Boyd and McKibbin in midfield over ran the visitors and Scott had a great effort from out wide on the left, after some slick one touch stuff.

Bangor almost doubled their advantage, again a good passing move - Boyd won the ball in midfield and split the defence with a ball into the corner for Scott. The left-sided midfielder raced down the line before crossing to Lee in the middle, to sweep in, this time the teenager denied by a scrambled clearance.

Killyleagh clearly struggling with the pace of the Bangor attack went further behind, again Lee benefitting from some clever stuff from Armstrong and McAteer on the right. The teenager, again driving the ball home with a powerful low shot, gave the Killyleagh keeper no chance.

Killyleagh, finally got up to the pace of the game, and enjoyed what proved their best spell of the game in the middle of the first half, although not really working Haslam in the Bangor goal, did force a series of corners.

The most threatening of these saw Bates defending on the near post, in the right place at the right time, clearing one off the line which may have put a different complexion on the game after half an hour.

However, Bangor seemed to fight their way through this tricky 15 minute spell with Bates and McGarry, flanked by full backs Dougherty and Mathews shielding Haslam and getting back to basics to repel the visitors minor assault on the Seasiders hold of the game.

McKibbin in the more unfamiliar role in the middle of the park was again having a good game – competing and winning all but a few of the challenges. While Boyd as usual made a significant impact working off the ball, chasing and generally breaking up the Killyleagh midfield.

Supremacy restored, the Seasiders midfield were able to kick on and gradually push the visitors deeper and deeper. With 10 to go into the first half, Bangor wereback in control, first McKibbin met a corner but headed over, then McGarry had a half chance but scuffed just wide.

Another new signing for Bangor Ladies, Susan Cull steps up

With Bangor clearly back in the driving seat, the Seasiders upped the tempo again, and were rewarded with the third goal of an entertaining first half, young Natasha Lee completing her third successive league hat trick, this time scoring straight from a corner kick. Half time 3-0.

With the score at 3-0 at the interval, Bangor looking comfortable, were given the green light to push on and hopefully finish the contest early in the second half and re-establish themselves back at the top of the table.

The Seasiders started equally as bright as they had in the first half and were playing some of their best football this season. Cull replaced McKibbin and the passing drills, part of the basics worked at week in, and week out, at training were clearly evident, as the visitors could not get any possession.

With Killyleagh now defending to keep in the tie, Bangor were able to hold a high line and restrict the visitors to nothing more than the odd foray into the Bangor half.

The untried strike partnership of McAteer and Lee was working well, both were able to make runs and work off each other. On 55 minutes McAteer played in Lee who broke in behind the visitors and unleashed a powerful drive which unfortunately sailed over the bar.

The NIWFA Division 3 top goalscorer Natasha Lee hit four in a row

Bangor kept up the pressure with Scott, Lee and then McAteer taking advantage of the good supply up front and all three had good chances to add to the scoreline, with some agonisingly close shaves.

However, the gloss was taken off a solid defensive performance, when a rare moment of hesitancy at the back exposed Haslam, Killyleagh's Susie McCully nicked in for a consolation goal with just15 minutes remaining on the clock.

Disappointing for a defensive unit of Dougherty, McGarry, Bates and Mathews who were solid all night, and apart from a spell in the middle of the first half, certainly had the measure of their opponents, restricting the visitors to very few chances that troubled Haslam.

With 13 on the clock, Killyleagh sensed the opportunity to get back into a game which they had been out-muscled, outplayed and outclassed – however it was never to materialise. Turville came on for Boyd to shore up the midfield and tighten things up, Bangor happy to settle for the important 3 points on offer, and play the game out.

And play the game out they did, a ball hoofed out was met on the half way line by Dougherty who returned it into the fray. A neat exchange released Lee who again made no mistake and tucked away her fourth of the evening to wrap up a comfortable win.

Carolyn Scott who tore the right back ragged, but forgot her shovel?

Bangor manager Andy Craig: "This was one of our best performances this season, solid at the back, unrelenting in midfield, dangerous on the flanks and punishing in the final third.

"It was important to respond to being knocked off the top, and I sensed a confidence and determination in the side which was almost tangible before the start of the fixture.

"Once again the team showed their character - although reduced to a bare minimum of a squad, the backbone of the team remains defiant, formidable and to date so far unbeatable.

"It was disappointing to lose the clean sheet, after working so hard, but the chances we are creating at the other end of the park, make us one of the most dangerous offensives sides in the whole NIWFA.

"In teenager Natasha Lee, we have one of the NIWFA top goalscorers in the country. She has proved unstoppable and continues to blast her way through opposing defensives and has now recorded an incredible 20 strikes for the Seasiders this season so far.

"The Bangor teenager is just one element of a successful team, and she would be the first to acknowledge the whole squads contribution so far. We’re not just a one trick pony – we have quality all over the park, despite the lack of numbers, as a team we are fighting to protect and maintain our status this season – as a collective unit."

Bangor Ladies, 2009, sponsored by Sammy Mellon & Sons, remain unbeaten

Bangor’s next match is away to Ballyvange, who incidentally were unable to field eleven players last week. Their game away to Ballynahinch, was awarded as an away win and the Downpatrick side will probably be fined.

Bangor will have to wait and see if the home team have sufficient numbers to take on the league leaders next Wednesday (15th) evening when the Seasiders visit. There will be NO training this Sunday (12th) and all players will be texted further details of our remaining schedule before Friday evening.

BANGOR LADIES - BACK ON TOP

Last Edited on 1-Aug-2009 6:45 AM