Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, secured the Coca Cola 3rd Division championship with a gritty 1-0 victory over their nearest geographical neighbours and division 3 rivals 1st Bangor (Ards), last Thursday (30th) at The Drome Playing Fields, Newtownards. The result puts the Sammy Mellon sponsored club an untouchable 7 points clear – with just two games remaining.
The Seasiders’ travelled to the Portaferry Road ground in Newtownards, home of 1st Bangor, for this league title derby showdown with a reasonably strong squad – in, after several weeks out with a knee injury came regular No.1 Bridget Finegan.
Also back was 08 Player of the Year Christina McNamara, along with midfielder Lynsey Ruddock which gave manager Andy Craig a full complement of players for the first time in 4 weeks.
Squad: Bridget Finegan; Paula Dougherty, Leanne McGarry, Rachel Bates, Valerie McKibbin, Christina McNamara, Lauren McAteer, Jenny Boyd, Carolyn Scott, Natasha Lee, Dee Savage. Subs: Julie Haslam, Lynsey Ruddock, Petra Armstrong.
In pleasant evening sunshine, on the big, well-manicured pitch, the two unbeaten sides faced up to each other with the 2009 league title very much on the line.
Bangor, four points clear, two to play, knew that a win would guarantee the title would be heading for Clandeboye Park this season. Meanwhile, hosts 1st Bangor currently second in the table, had to win to maintain their challenge for the divisional championship.
It was 1st Bangor who started the sharper, immediately putting the Seasiders on the back foot, although not really threatening Finegan in goal, the home team certainly enjoyed the majority of the play in the first ten.
While being run a little ragged in the opening exchanges, the Seasiders did manage to up the pace, particularly in the middle of the park, McAteer and Boyd combining well, working hard off the ball.
After 15 minutes the game was evenly poised, both teams looking to take advantage of half chances. Although there were a few random efforts on goal by both sides, there was still nothing significant to record.
Bangor teenager Natasha Lee, who has lit up the NIWFA this season, was clearly in for a difficult night, nevermore emphasised when on 15 minutes – the division’s top goalscorer was brutally scythed down in a X-rated tackle, arguably worthy of a straight red.
Unstoppable Seasider Natasha Lee who leads the division in goals scored
Although the offender got away with a yellow, Seasider Lee had to go off for sustained treatment, but thankfully was able to return to the action once attended to.
The home side’s apparent tactic of trying to rough up the visitors' would give the Seasiders the spark to up their tempo and as in previous matches this season, when the North Down side are challenged physically, the team respond collectively – and quickly.
On 22 minutes with the game now evening out into a good contest, right back Dougherty and McGarry combined in the box to defend a dangerous break – the 1st Bangor player ending up on the deck. The referee adjudged it to be an illegal challenge and duly awarded the home side the spot kick.
Newtownards midfielder Hannah Sheffield stepped up for 1st Bangor and thankfully wasted the golden opportunity of giving the home club the lead, blasting the ball high and over the bar.
The encouraged Seasiders, starting to edge more into the game, particularly in the midfield, identified by manager Craig as a key area where this game could be won – or lost. On the flanks too, the visitors were encouraged to use the pace of wingers Scott and McNamara to attack the young 1st Bangor defenders.
McAteer continues her good run of form, chasing down everything and after some tenacious tackling on the edge of the box, produced a good effort on 25 minutes which had the keeper scrambling across to make a decent save.
With the momentum now favouring the visitors, Savage had a sniff of a chance, but failed to connect properly, while Lee, who did strike the ball cleanly, unfortunately drove it straight into the keepers arms.
Bangor's Rachel Bates comes out on top in title showdown
Bangor finished the half the stronger, with some good football down the wing. Left back McKibbin winning the ball and finding young McAteer in the centre of the park. The teenager played in Scott and the two combined with some neat one-twos to carve the Newtownards side open. Half time 0-0.
Although a draw would be enough to give the Seasiders a clear advantage for the league title, the message at half time was to up the performance, to push on. The game was certainly there for the taking, particularly out on the flanks where the visitors had 2 v 1 situations which could be exploited.
On 55 minutes, the introduction of Armstrong, replacing McKibbin, to give the Seasiders a bit more attacking pace in midfield. Boyd and McAteer play makers and holding players had bossed and given the home side a lot of problems getting through. The reshuffle would maybe change things a bit and hopefully with the extra striker coming from deep, would hopefully prize an opening.
The goal on the hour was well created and well taken, McNamara, Savage and McAteer were all involved – some neat football finding Lee, free out wide on the right. The forward had the time and space to drive a ball right across the penalty box. Scott, gambled on the left and timed her run perfectly to come in at the back post and drove the ball first time powerfully into the top corner to give the Seasiders the lead.
BANGOR LADIES SECURE THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Courtesy of bangorfc.tv
Having broken the deadlock the Bangor side didn’t sit back and almost doubled their advantage, Lee put Savage through but a well-timed last-ditch tackle denied the forward a clean strike.
On 70 minutes, Lee smashed a great strike just wide. Bangor, solid at the back played a more counter attacking game, as the Newtownards side pushed for an equaliser. This exposed them, allowing Savage and McNamara to get more possession and Bangor could and should have added to the scoreline.
As the clock ticked, the Newtownards side were urged to go forward in numbers, forcing a couple of corners, one which produced a good first time shot, cleared by Bates on the line, as Bangor kept it simple at the back.
The two unbeaten sides continued to cancel each other – Dougherty very strong, stood out with some uncompromising defending when 1st Bangor tried desperately to respond. While Lee and Savage, the league’s most potent strike force were always a handful up front for the Seasiders.
With just six minutes left, another twist, unfortunately goalkeeper Finegans knee and the keeper had to retire – Julie Haslam handed the reasonability to shut out the home side in the dying embers of a pulsating contest.
Although the young Newtownards outfit went all-out to keep themselves in the league title race, it wasn’t to be, as Bangor Ladies saw out the game, banked another 3 points and in doing so – wrapped up the 2009 divisional championship.
Manager Craig: "Once again the team responded to the challenge, we knew what was required – our discipline was good, and we played the game at a high tempo. We started on the back foot, the turning point was the penalty miss, and although 1st Bangor were always a treat – defensively we remained resilient.
Bangor's Jennifer Boyd, back to her best in midfield for the Champions
"The midfield of McAteer and Boyd gave everything to snuff out a very lively and talented side, while McGarry and Boyd were once again very strong in the heart of the team. McKibbin settled well and Dougherty stamped her authority on the game from start to finish.
"While it has been a great season, the victory securing the championship, on another night, 1st Bangor might well have turned us over. They are strong all over the park, and with young Northern Ireland internationals Hannah Sheffield and Mollie Moore have moulded themselves into one of the best young teams in the province.
"In this one, for us, having Finegan back was a massive bonus – she is a top class goalkeeper – and I know she was struggling throughout the game, playing through her injury - which finally got the better of her.
"Again, excellent defensively, with our third clean sheet in a row – right back Paula Dougherty has raised the bar with a string of consistent displays.
"Our Newtownards opponents have been on our coat-tails and snapping at our heels all season pushing us all the way – but tonight we showed the experience and determination to just grind them down and the performance merits a result which was enough to push us over the finishing line.
"While the core of the team has brought us through a very difficult month, this championship has been won by all the players who have represented Bangor Ladies Football Club this season. We suffered with injuries, were weakened by withdrawals, holidays etc., but the league championship is now ours to enjoy, and we thoroughly deserve it."
Bangor Ladies will now hope to continue their unbeaten run in the league, on the final run in, when they welcome Ballynahinch Olympic to Clandeboye Park, next Tuesday night (4th) for their final home fixture of the 2009 season.
Bangor Ladies Dee Savage in action in the title decider
