Bangor Ladies crash at Derry City
Bangor defeated for the first time in the league for a year.

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, suffered their first league defeat in over a year, as the Seasiders crashed at Derry City last Thursday (22nd) evening at the Prehen Playing Fields on the outskirts of the maiden city.



The 2009 Coca Cola Division 3 Champions, who had played on the Monday (19th) evening, were reduced to traveling with no subs, the squad unable to get the numerical requirements and logistics to unite, leaving Bangor at the 4.45 p.m. in order to be in Londonderry by 7.00 p.m. proving the main source of the problem.

Having arrived at the venue just before 7.15, the game getting underway just 20 minutes later, the team with barely sufficient time to change and get properly prepared for this, their opening game of the 2010 season. Although not an excuse for what turned out to be a fairly lack lustre display, arguably a contribution to the outcome

Bangor Squad: Tina Sharpe, Trish Webb, Leanne McGarry, Cathy Duncan (C), Jenny Boyd, Petra Armstrong, Lauren McAteer, Lyndsey Turville, Christina McNamara, Dee Savage, Natasha Lee.



Almost straight from the kick off, it was clear that Bangor were not in the same mode, which had seen them put in one of their best performances just 72 hours earlier against Knockbreda on Monday (19th). On the very hard, bumpy pitch the home side quickly out of the blocks, snatched a very early lead.



In fact, just 4 minutes on the clock, and with Bangor hardly getting a touch of the ball. Although on the rack for the first twenty, to be fair, the visitors did settle and tried to get into this fixture, but it was just one of those nights, where the team just did not get any offensive momentum going.



With the score at 1-0 , one of the Bangor strikers went down, in the penalty box off the ball, although the referee didn’t see the incident, it was described by the Derry City coach as ‘unacceptable behaviour with no place on a football pitch.' No consolation for the injured striker who subsequently missed Bangor’s next game on Tuesday (27th) evening.



The culprit was substituted minutes after this unpleasant incident, although if the referee had seen it, the player may have been ordered off, and by the letter of the law, Bangor should have quite rightly been awarded the penalty, as the incident was inside the box.



However, Bangor then went two nil down on the half hour, Seemingly flatfooted from a free kick, which found a City forward in without a challenge, and the home side doubled their advantage.



Bangor clearly struggling did well to rally and although still under pressure did not fold, but lacked the spark that was evident in the game prior to this one.



The second half started with the team looking to at least pick up their tempo and put some pressure on the Derry City side, with the next goal being the one which might finish the contest off, or ignite a Bangor comeback.




Although by no means a bad tempered game, there was another incident where hands were raised and the Seasiders showed great restraint in order to keep their discipline. Again the referee, apparently blind side, did nothing.



The third goal did arrive and it was decisive in ending the contest as it was Derry City who struck, and going 3-0 down, the Seasiders knew that it would be a tough 20 minutes to see this one out.



Although, the distractions tainted the game, it must be said that Derry did certainly deserve their victory, they were the far better team and in truth could have added to the score line at will, accept for the persistence of a clearly pressurized Bangor back four, Duncan and McGarry just holding the home side at bay.



With 20 minutes to go, another blow, Armstrong had to be withdrawn leaving Bangor exposed and with the extra player City quickly added the fourth goal to complete a miserable evening for the travelling North Down side.



Bangor must dust themselves down and pick themselves up when they welcome Moyola Park Ladies to Clandeboye Park on Tuesday(27th) evening in a game manager Andy Craig hopes sees as a return to form.



“In truth, going away to Londonderry was always going to be tough, and so it proved, we didn’t have the cover and following the terrible start, we just lacked any real threat.


“Although a few of my players looked jaded after Monday nights game, McGarry and Duncan gave a good account of themselves and without their resolve we could have been really turned over.


“The incident involving was unfortunate, but the referee didn’t see it, so took no action, although if he had, the outcome could certainly been different. In the end we were beaten and beaten well, by a very organised and generally good side, so we really have to learn from this one, and press on.


“So it’s back to the drawing board. We knew it was going to be tough year but we do have realistic goals this season, to get into the top four of this division and if lady lucky is kind to us – a place in the divisional cup final remains a target.


“There are thirteen games left so we will have the opportunity over the next few months, to try and bag enough points to secure our survival in this higher division, starting next Tuesday night.

Bangor Ladies achievement in 2009 will be recognised tonight (30th) at the Annual North Down Advisory Councils Awards - where the Seasiders whave been nominated for Team of the Year 2009.

Last Edited on 6-May-2010 9:21 AM