Late collapse to Cliftonville after bright start at home

Tough lesson on Seasiders
return to Clandeboye Park

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, returned to Clandeboye Park for the first time in six months for their opening home game this season, a tough fixture against Cliftonville Ladies from the Northern Ireland Women’s Premier division.



The 2009 Coca Cola Division 3 Champions, faced a team from four divisions above them, packed with international quality and who arguably could be a genuine threat to the dominance of Belfast United and Newtownabbey Strikers as to where the N.I. championship trophy will be, come September.



Squad: Bridget Finegan, Paula Dougherty, Leanne McGarry, Rachel Bates, Julie Graham, Trish Webb, Lauren McAteer, Jenny Boyd, Carolyn Scott, Petra Armstrong, Natasha Lee. Subs: Tina Sharpe, Linsey Turville, Susan Cull and Valerie McKibbin.



Bangor in contrast to their opponents, are only in their third week of training and would be facing a team who have been steadily gearing up towards the top flight of ladies football over the winter months. On what was a very brisk bitter cold evening, right from the kick off, the gulf between the two sides was evident.



Cliftonville moving the ball around with pace, passing to feet and looking to get at the Seasiders right from the start, Bangor looked a yard too slow and when they did win some possession, they were quickly closed down and often just got rid of the football cheaply.



This gave Cliftonville the initiative and it was a jittery opening ten minutes for the home team who found themselves 1-0 down after some hesitant defending was effectively punished by a lively opposing front two.



Having gone a goal down, the Seasiders did respond, although still struggling to get about the visitors, young McAteer and Boyd in midfield broke up the early spell of dominance. Defensively, with three of last season’s back four starting, the side settled and although not allowed any time to build from the back did at least protect keeper Finegan and frustrate the visitors.



Armstrong had the first home chance of the evening, put clear behind the Cliftonville defence and given a few more games up front will do better in the up and coming league campaign.



As the temperature continued to fall rapidly, the game itself was played at a very high tempo, and in truth Cliftonville were proving too hot to handle, although despite having plenty of the ball couldn’t break through the improving Bangor Ladies back four.



The first of the night telling withdrawals was Scott; still suffering from a knock sustained at the weekend forced to retire. Bangor reshuffled and still managed to maintain a hold on the contest and were starting to frustrate their superior opponents, who were reduced to shooting from range.



Half time at the score was tied at 1-0, the Seasiders manager Andy Craig delighted at the application and reminded to team to concentrate on performance rather than get too carried away with the contest. Clearly this was a very good, quality premier team and to have matched them for 45 minute paid tribute to the resolve of the North Down side.



The half time withdrawal of Dougherty at right back suffering from a breathing problem; and Sharpe just back from a serious injury proved too much for Bangor to cope with. It was more a case of the home team just being unable to match the fitness levels of the visitors.



With the defence totally at sorts Cliftonville quickly increased their lead, with some clinical finishing as Bangor were now being picked off with some excellent inter passing, slick football.



With twenty to go and the score at 3-0, centre half Bates went down, having twisted her knee, leaving only one of the starting back four still on the pitch. As if this disadvantage wasn’t enough, the Seasiders were also reduced to 10 as Bates, clearly in some difficulty was attended.



One rare glimpse of offensive football from the Seasiders was produced by the industry of Lee, who continues to lead the front line of the league champions with determination. Breaking through with 15 minutes left, shrugging off two challenges the teenager drove a powerfully shot from 18 yards which rattled the crossbar.



As good teams do, Cliftonville took full advantage and were able to add to the score line and underline their supermacy in the match, as the tiring Bangor side just couldn’t recapture the organisation which had kept them in the game for just under an hour of top flight soccer.



Despite the defeat Bangor manager Craig was certainly upbeat: “This programme has been carefully planned to get the team into sync. On Sunday against Blackieville the team had to find first gear after our rusty winter layoff. Tonight everyone had to find fourth and find it quickly.



“I was delighted with the first half performance against the calibre of team we were facing. I reminded the players that it would be extremely unlikely we will be facing just as good a team as that in our divisional campaign – and everyone raised their individual performance sufficiently.



“Obviously the second half was disappointing but until to last twenty we had been in the game, we had our chances and really should have put at least one of them away. Losing three out of the regular back four took its toll, after Bates’ injury we were just run ragged by a very good team.



“Credit too, to our guests Cliftonville who travelled to Clandeboye Park with a full squad and were the best team on the night. Hopefully we can keep our momentum over the next month, and by the time the season does get under way in April and there are points at stake, we will be ready.”



Next up is a trip to play Larne at Inver Park on Wednesday (17th) evening, who were beaten by Blackieville last Wednesday night 3-1.

Last Edited on 15-Mar-2010 2:55 PM