Welcome to 2009 with 3rd DIVISION CHAMPIONS BANGOR LADIES FOOTBALL CLUB ................PRE SEASON KICKS OFF SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21st, 1.45 p.m. - 3.45 p.m.........................PRE SEASON KICKS OFF SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21st, 1.45 p.m. - 3.45 p.m.......................PRE SEASON KICKS OFF SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21st, 1.45 p.m. - 3.45 p.m...............

2009 champions- Newtownabbey Strikers broke BU 3 years spell of dominance

Seasiders' pre-season launch date announced

Time to get the footy boots and shin pads back out of hibernation and polished up again, as the 2010 season fast approaches. With the nights starting to draw out and the first hint of the spring buds in the air, the official ladies section at Clandeboye Road - Bangor Ladies Football Club, will once again be in full flow in just six weeks time with the pre-season date announced as Sunday 21st February.



It promises to be a great year and if 2009 was anything to go by, the NIWFA will start to evolve and take shape following the dramatic league structure changes made at the beginning of last season. The change should signal the first stage of the ladies football in Northern Ireland starting to reflect a more realistic overview following the promotion and relegation of the various clubs up and down the country.

YMCA lifted the Coca Cola Championship in September, and will go into the 1st Division

Looking back and a general glance over who won what and who is on the move, along with the Seasiders' presents an interesting picture. The 2009 champions are Newtownabbey Strikers, who finished the season on top of the premier division; courtesy of back to back wins over runners-up and fiercest rivals Belfast Glentoran United. The North Belfast based Strikers had recorded a near perfect season, winning 13 out of their 14 match schedule. Their only defeat was a surprising shock result, going down 3-0 at home against Linfield Ladies.



The champions were however docked 3 points by the NIWFA council, although the two wins over BU were, luckily enough, to secure the title, and send them into Europe as Northern Ireland representatives in 2010.Glentoran Belfast United in Europe 2009.




Alison Smyth, Ballymena All Stars topped the scoring charts with a credible 15 goals. At the other end of the table Northland Raiders posted one of the worst records in the whole of the province, relegated with only 5 points, along with a miserable total of only 10 goals scored in 14 league games. Belfast United did however get their hands on some silverware, lifting the league cup, turning over the luckless Northland Raiders 5-0 in the final.

Glentoran Ladies triumphed with the Premier Division cup in 2009

The Coca Cola Championship saw YMCA grasp the automatic spot, and so, take the step up in 2010 - the won 10, drew 2, lost 2 tally of 32 points enough to secure their promotion in April to the top flight, with Avila Bergin the top striker in the division with 10 goals. At the other end of the table, Carrick Ladies took the drop down into Division 1. Fermanagh Ladies were the league cup winners at the expense of Cliftonville Ladies. Cliftonville are however primed for the Premiership at the expense of Loughgall who crashed down a division via the newly introduced play-offs.



Saint Matthews continued on from their 08 successful year in the now defunct intermediate division two adding the Division One title last year, winning 11, losing 3, to flag a 36-point record. With their strike partnership of Rachel Rogan 23 and Maria Sykes 15 doubling up as the champions bagged an impressive 65 goals. Glenavon were the fall guys, tumbling into division two come April. St. Matthews completed an impressive double with a comfortable win over Downpatrick in the league cup decider.



In the closest fought of all the divisions, it was a two horse nip and tuck race for the division two championship. Come September, only one point separated Banbridge 27, who just pipped Limavady Ladies 26, to lift the title. Leola McElean, Moyola Park Ladies 16, topping the scoring charts with 19 goals. While Louise McAllister 18, and Rebecca McMullan 14 recorded 32 goals for runners up Limavady, Alex Hurst ended the summer as top goalscorer for the eventual champions, Banbridge. Ballymoney were at the wrong end of the table, and so go dropping down. Derry City Ladies triumphed over close neighbours Claddagh Spurs to take the league cup.

Bangor Ladies triumphed in the third division following a very successful season

In the third division, it was Bangor Ladies who topped the points tally with an impressive 40 points, making them the most successful team in the country. The North Down club only dropping 2 points, those at home to eventual runners up 1st Bangor Ladies at Clandeboye Park. The Seasiders young forward Natasha Lee netted an incredible 27 times, second highest in the NIWFA, while strike partner Deirdre Savage added 13 to a final goal scored total of 67. Once again the best record in Northern Ireland. Abbey Villa faced the drop into the fourth division. 1st Bangor were rewarded for a good debut year in the NIWFA with the league cup following a comprehensive win over Ballyvange.

Kilkeel Ladies triumphed in the fourth division and will go up

Coming up into division 3 are Kilkeel Ladies who nicked the championship with 36 points from Portadown runners up with 32. Nicola Graham finished the season as Northern Ireland?s top striker with 30 goals in 2009. Albeit helped by a mammoth 9 goal personal feast as the champions elect steam rolled over Dromora Ladies in a 17-0 hammering. Moneyshane finished as the basement club with only 5 points. Kilkeel made it a double here with a 3-1 victory over Lisburn Distillery Ladies.



So once again its time for the pack to be reshuffled and while the league will no doubt welcome a few new teams into the fray, it once again promises to be an eventful and interesting season when things get underway come April. Although for the Seasiders' at least those preparations will be getting underway in February. Friendlies are already being arranged against some great teams and more information will follow shortly.

On the international front, Northern Ireland Ladies finally broke a thoroughly miserable 7 straight losing sequence under coach Wylie following a 1-1 home draw to Belarus in July 08, following that up with a rare victory away to Croatia. However the seniors slumped again when Iceland visited Belfast in a World Cup qualifier last October. Next up are back to back games against a very useful French team in March.

Last Edited on 10-Jan-2010 6:52 AM