Dee Savage who scored a club record five in the Seasiders' latest away win

Bangor "Savage/Lee"
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Ballyvange 0, Bangor 9

Seasiders Strikers Unstoppable

The unstoppable strikeforce of Deirdre Savage and Natasha Lee of Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, went on the rampage on Wednesday (15th) evening at Dunleath Playing Fields, Downpatrick, combining to compound a stylish 0-9 triumph over Ballyvange Ladies.

The Sammy Mellon sponsored club, have now opened up a clear four point lead, with only four games left in their 2009 divisional campaign.

The deadly duo, who have struck an incredible thirty one times so far this season in the league, smashing all the club's previous goalscoring records – are spearheading Bangor Ladies charge at the top of the Coca Cola 3rd Division table.

The Seasiders are now ensured of their highest ever finish in their NIWFA history with a record breaking 28 points on the board so far. A total, which will guarantee them a top three spot in the table, one of the club’s goals at the start of this campaign, but not something they will be settling for with 12 points still on offer.

Manager Andy Craig, for the first time in recent weeks, had a full squad to select from, with the welcome return of some key and influential players back into the ranks.

Squad Jenny Boyd; Paula Dougherty, Leanne McGarry, Rachel Bates, Julie Haslam; Petra Armstrong, Lauren McAteer, Susan Cull, Carolyn Scott; Natasha Lee, Deirdre Savage. Subs (all used): Valerie McKibbin, Jackie Price and Peggy Mathews.

The heavy showers, which had been persistent throughout the day, thankfully held off and the game got underway, with blue skies above, though the hot sunshine made it a very humid evening.

Visitors Bangor, got off to a flyer, striker Savage showing the determination to chase and harry the Ballyvange back line, putting the finishing touch to a goalmouth scramble, which gave the visitors the lead after just 6 minutes.

The Downpatrick side almost got straight back into the contest with an equaliser, which was rightly ruled out, after goalkeeper Boyd had the ball unlawfully stripped from her grasp.

A very physical outfit, Ballyvange attempted to get at the Seasiders back four, though Bangor matched them in all areas of the field. McAteer and Cull pulling the strings in midfield were able to make good use of the ball, as Bangor continued to dominate on the big Newcastle Road pitch.

A good chance for Scott saw the left-sided midfielder strike the bottom of the post on twenty minutes. Then the visitors almost increased their lead from a corner from the right, which was blasted just wide.

The second strike, which had been threatening, came from a neat combination by the strike partnership of Savage and Lee. Some clever play saw teenager Lee break through and hammer the ball into the corner from 12 yards out.

Deep into the first half, it was much of the same; Ballyvange hanging on, while Bangor had a number of half chances to kill them off. Lee, McAteer and Savage all taking advantage of the supply coming in from the lively Armstrong and Scott on the flanks.

Despite being the better side, at the break, it was still only 2-0, and from a neutral point of view, certainly all to play for.

The interval allowed Bangor to regroup and focus on taking advantage of the size of the pitch, play the ball more to feet and play through, rather than over the top of the home side.

With Price and Mathews replacing Haslam and Cull, the Seasiders got just the start they wanted, the short game paying off, with Savage released to snatch her second of the evening to make it 3-0 just after the break.

With the Seasiders’ comfortable, a fourth soon followed, Savage providing the knock on for Lee, whose strength and pace got her free, the talented 17 year old produced a powerful first time drive which flew past the Ballyvange keeper into the top corner.

Ballyvange just could not contain the North Down side in the second half

With the home team, clearly in free fall, they could do nothing much in the Seasiders’ half with both full backs Dougherty and Mathews solid, backed up by reliable defending in the shape of the experienced Bates and McGarry.

These early blows, clearly wiping out any chance of a revival by the Downpatrick outfit, was further enhanced after more good one touch stuff from Dougherty and Armstrong on the right. An early ball found Lee, who nudged it round the corner this time for Savage to complete her hat trick with a low drive to make it 5-0.

McKibbin introduced on the left side, combined well with Mathews to add a more controlled and composed threat out wide – the Seasiders keeping possession of the ball well.

On 60 minutes, Bangor’s top goalscorer for the last three consecutive seasons Deirdre Savage then added her fourth goal of the night – the striker clearly back to her best with some decisive finishing, punishing a dejected home defence.

With the gaps appearing all over the park, Bangor continued to take advantage and it was then the turn of Natasha Lee who duly added a seventh, to complete her fourth league hat-trick in four games.

Armstrong of Bangor Ladies playing out wide

Ballyvange now run ragged late in the second half, were restricted to just one or two corners, Boyd in the Bangor goals happy to tidy up these rare attacks.

With the home side now tiring, Bangor were quick to take further advantage, a quick throw in by McKibbin, down the line to Lee who squared to Savage, the striker tucked away her fifth of the night to make it 8-0.

The game well and truly over, Bangor added a ninth to complete the scoring, Lee again applying a good low finish after more neat and clever stuff from McAteer and Price in the midfield.

A satisfied Andy Craig: “This is just what we needed, we have been looking for the spark to re-ignite our season and everything clicked for us in the second half, unfortunately Ballyvange were on the receiving end.

“In the second half in particular, I saw the team play the way they can, simple, relaxed, passing the ball to feet, looking for the gaps to release our strikers, playing to our advantages. Up front, we’ve had some very frustrating weeks, but tonight, both strikers were excellent.

Lee (left) scored 4, while Savage netted a club record 5

“It is good to have both strikers now firing on all cylinders, Savage back to her best with 5, a club record; and the young, formidable Lee returning another 4 - making it an incredible 14 goals for the teenager in just four games – I hope there is more to follow in our few remaining fixtures.

“With 1st Bangor (Ards) slipping up and dropping points, this should give us the incentive to really push on, with Rossglass in our sights next Tuesday 21st.

“After battling through an injury crisis which has stretched us to the limits, we are getting back the sort of numbers we need for the run in – and can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“So far so good – but this is no time for complacency – everyone at Bangor Ladies knows that, now, more than ever, is the time to step up and give it 110%.

“Our next challenge, is against Rossglass next Tuesday evening (21st), where I hope we can continue our rich vein of form of late and smash through the 30 point mark.”

With Bangor first to play their leage game next Tuesday, they will have the opportunity to go 7 points clear and put the pressure back on the chasing pack, with games running out. The Seasider's home ground Clandeboye Road, is currently closed for important maintenance, so the fixture is scheduled for a 7.30 p.m. kick-off at Bloomfield Road Playing Fields, Bangor.

Seasiders look to continue current winning run

Last Edited on 18-Jul-2009 5:19 AM