Bangor end 2009 unbeaten

Wellington Rec. 0 Bangor Ladies 3

Bangor Ladies end on a high

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, completed their 2009 divisional programme, with a hard-fought 3-0 triumph over a very competitive, organised Wellington Rec side last Wednesday (26th) evening, at the Brookvale Park ground just outside Larne to maintain their unbeaten status in their league campaign.


Already confirmed as the 2009 Coca Cola Division 3 Champions, the result brings the curtain down on a remarkable season. The Sammy Mellon sponsored outfit finishing the campaign 7 points clear, also boasting the highest league points scored of any team in all seven NIWFA divisions.


A weakened Seasiders’ travelled to the Larne, for this final game, incidentally postponed from last Wednesday due to adverse weather. Manager Andy Craig, fielding just eleven of his 25 player strong squad, saw the team rise to the occasion and finish the evening with their fifth clean sheet in row and more importantly all three points on the board.

McNamara captained the side to a seventh clean sheet in a row

Once again, they were actually more players unavailable than they were fit to play. Squad: Jenny Boyd; Paula Dougherty, Christina McNamara, Jackie Price; Petra Armstrong, Lauren McAteer, Susan Cull, Carolyn Scott, Natasha Lee, Lynsey Ruddock, Petra Armstrong.


Bangor, four points clear, boasting a 100% away record knew that a win would ensure the club the highest points tally in the whole of Northern Ireland, and although making a cautious start felt, with the top end of the team looking strong – they would certainly give a good account of themselves.


On a day which had seen several heavy showers, the game was given the green light at 4.40 p.m, and although dark, heavy clouds gathered overhead, causing some concern, the pitch at Brookvale was certainly playable and was, in fact, in very good condition.


With three of the regular back four out, a make shift starting line up saw both full backs start in the centre of defence, while key midfielder Armstrong was slotted in at right back. Although a very unorthodox set up – the team started quite well, and were out of the blocks quite quickly.


While Bangor started the sharper, it was however the home team who created the best chance – after some hesitancy at the back, on 8 minutes, the Wellington no.
9, clean through blasted well over.


While a little ragged in the opening exchanges, the Seasiders formation did manage to settle, particularly in the middle of the park, McAteer and Cull combining well, working hard off the ball.


After 15 minutes the game had not really burst into life, both teams still looking to seize on a half chance, although Wellington had another opportunity to open the scoring – Boyd saving after a well struck free kick.


Bangor also made some forays up into the home teams penalty area, Scott finding Lee, who was unlucky not to catch the strike properly and the keeper was glad to be able to get something on the ball to turn it wide.

Bangor Ladies Natasha Lee with a fantastic hat-trick, netted her 32nd goal of the season

Not to be denied, on 20 minutes, the divisions top goalscorer Natasha Lee proved too much, bursting through on the left side, after good work from McAteer and Scott, the striker took the chance well – burying a low powerful drive into the right hand corner to give the visitors the advantage.


Having broken the deadlock, defender Jackie Price, picked up a very sore knock on the ankle minutes later, which forced her withdrawal for treatment. The defender was able to bravely carry on, although clearly restricted, going back on at left back, pushing Armstrong further up the right hand side.


Captain Christina McNamara switching to partner Dougherty in the centre of the defence, the pair were quick to establish themselves, and would prove yet again, to have the determination and resolve which has been the backbone of a number of dogged defensive performances all season.


With the game bogged down in the middle of the park, Wellington pushing for the equaliser, predator Lee produced another spark which would double the visitors advantage. Instinctively the teenager with her back to goal with a great first touch to set up the volley, which she duly despatched with venom into the top corner. 2-0 half time.


With the alterations to the middle of the defence still leaving the league champions vulnerable, Wellington were quite willing to attack from deep, with the ball over the top always a danger, McNamara was quick to recognise the tactic and dropped off a few yards to counter the threat,

While far from a physical battle, the contest was tough, Wellington are very strong at the back and were proving very difficult to break down, Scott probably the only player to ask questions with some strong runs at the right back, causing a few problems.


Armstrong was also encouraged to have a go out wide on the right and the Seasiders’ tried to stretch the Wellington back four and create the space for Lee and the Torville to get through the middle. Cull was also just doing the simple thing – using the ball to do the work with some precise and defence splitting passes, McAteer quick to follow suit.

Seasider Jenny Boyd, with 21 appearances out of a possible 22 games - was in top form

In would be fair to say that on another night, with the rub of the green, Wellington could quite easily got into the game, they created a number of good chances, despite getting behind the Bangor back four a couple of times – stand in keeper Jenny Boyd was unbeatable.


The young midfielder, forced to step in, made a string of quite remarkable saves to protect the lead – at one stage managing to push a good effort up and over the bar as Wellington tried hard.


With the home team pushing further up the pitch, Cull took advantage and found the feet on Lee on the eighteen yard line and once again the youngster obliged, low into the corner, converting with her 27th league goal of the season to make it 3-0 and complete the scoring.


Wellington didn’t give up and pushed Dougherty and McNamara all the way to the final whistle, but both defenders in front of Boyd, were awesome and protected the clubs seventh clean sheet of their record breaking season.



Manager Andy Craig “This was one of the most pleasing performances of the season – clearly under strengthened, I have some of the best players in the country with regards to competitive attitude and work ethic.


“To finish the season unbeaten is something few sides accomplish – I know how difficult a challenge to the players it has been. We lost our goalkeeper in the 5th game of this campaign, and with no real cover, have just battled through some very tough games to post this achievement.


“The team have excelled all year smashing records all over the league – and while it has been a collective effort – there is a back bone of regulars who I have been able to rely on – Jenny Boyd with 21 appearances this year, Dougherty, Savage and Lee putting in 20 performances – Scott, McNamara, Bates, McGarry all in the high teens.


“I also pay particular tribute to the youngsters Natasha Lee recording 32 goals in 21 games, while McAteer with no pre-season, put away 7 in 16 appearances, so the platform for which to build for next season is there.


“Though we will have to draft at least another 4 players, as we were clearly exposed with the lost of Finegan, Dockery, Sharpe, McGarry, Duncan, Web and Morrison, which obviously stretched us but we have come through and made it a truly memorable year at Clandeboye Road.


“It is now time to take a well earned break – though we will be in action, for the last time this year, in a promotional game against Championship side LARNE LADIES. This will take place at Clandeboye Park on Thursday 24th September – where hopefully all of the registered players will be able to enjoy the mantle as the Divisional Champions for 2009."

Last Edited on 4-Sep-2009 7:25 AM