Seasiders get off the mark away at Dungoyne
Bangor grab first point of 2010 season

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, recorded their first point in division two of the Northern Ireland Women’s Football Association last Thursday (8th) evening in an entertaining end to end encounter 4-4 thriller against Dungoyne Ladies in Dundonald.


This fixture, only the 2009 Coca Cola Division 3 Champions second game of the season, after losing their home game against Moyola the previous week, a game that has been re-scheduled no fewer than five times, and still remains an uncertainty.


However the Seasiders travelled to Dungoyne in relatively good shape, although they were still missing a few regular faces, and were to play on the home sides 3-G surface, a lush artificial but level grass surface, hopefully which would suit the passing game of the visitors.



Bangor Squad: Tina Sharpe, Suzanne Rea, Leanne McGarry, Cathy Duncan (C), Jenny Boyd, Christina McNamara, Petra Armstrong, Lindsey Turville, Carolyn Scott, Jackie Robins, Natasha Lee. Sub: Trish Webb.

Bangor striker Natasha Lee nets a double for the Seasiders

The game itself was delayed due to the late arrival of an official referee and didn’t get underway until 7.50 p.m., although the venue did provide lights, so it did not raise any serious problems with regard to the possibility of fading light.



The got off to an lightning start, with the two teams looking to attack each other. Record breaking Natasha Lee got off the mark for 2010, opening the scoring with a great individual effort after 12 minutes. The teenager showing great strength to burst through and hit a low shot which flew into the corner.



The advantage however was not to last long though, Dungoyne responding from a corner kick, just 6 minutes later to level things up. With the game flowing end to end, Bangor quickly restored their lead, Captain Cathy corner from Carolyn Scott – 2-1.



In the spirit of the fast flowing game, Dungoyne equalised again, this time with a good strike which beat young stand-in Tina Sharpe, who despite being beaten, was having a good, decisive game between the sticks.



The Seasiders kept the tempo of the game high, McNamara out wide released Lee whose thundering shot crashed against the crossbar, as Bangor again responded to the Dungoyne goal, looking to get in front for the third time.

Most improved player 09; Jenny Boyd - another good performance for the Seasiders

At the back Jenny Boyd was again showing the confidence and ability, which made her the clubs most improved player of 2009. Although more suited to a midfield battle, the young player has the ability to adapt and always puts in 100% in whatever role in the side she is given. Half time 2-2.



The second half saw much of the same with both sides playing open attacking football, taking advantage of the slick even 3-G surface, the more goals looked on the cards. Webb replaced Turville who had put in a good shift in the middle of the park.



Bangor again nudged in front, again striker Lee finding the back of the net after turning the last defender, Armstrong winning a header, the forward breaking behind the back four and finishing with a tremendous shot which gave the keeper no chance.



The Seasiders then doubled their advantage, the front pair putting enough pressure on the Dungoyne defence to force an error, and quick to seize on a bit of hesitant defending, in the panic a Dungoyne foot turning it past her own keeper to make the score 4-2 in favour of the visitors.



The home side didn’t fold and to their credit stuck to their game plan of attacking in waves, and it was to pay off ten minutes before the end of the game, when they reduced to lead to just one and setting up a grandstand finish to what had been a thrilling game.



Just 5 minutes left on the clock, with the points seemingly in the bag, unfortunately Bangor failed to kill the game off. A free kick from just outside the penalty box, was awarded to the home team, the resulting kick was skilfully curled into the top corner to level things up at 4-4.



Bangor Ladies are back in action on Tuesday (11th), at home to Ballymoney Ladies, manager Andy Craig hopes this will see a return to form for the 2009 divisional champions.



“Although we got something from this one, it certainly felt more like a defeat having been two goals in the lead with ten minutes to go. But credit to Dungoyne, who kept their high tempo and in truth deserved their point on what was a thoroughly entertaining game of football.


“It is also worth mentioning the 3G surface, which may have been considered an advantage for the home team, but to be fair it was a great surface and made no difference to the result.



“This result, although disappointing, did a lot for our confidence, following the Derry City game, we felt a little out of our depth in this higher level, but this one proves that if we play to our strengths and keep positive then I think we will be able to put enough points on the board to maintain a respectable league

Bangor Ladies Captain (left) Cathy Duncan with Leanne McGarry and former Manchester United
and Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie (also included Majella McCarthy (Marine Court)

The club however did have something to celebrate, last Friday (30th) evening as the Sammy Mellon & Sons sponsored club lifted the North Down Sports Advisory Council’s prestigious ‘Team of the Year’ Cup, in recognition of their record-breaking 2009 football season. Club captain Cathy Duncan accepting the ‘Bruce Mulligan’ trophy from guest speaker for the evening former Manchester United and Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie.



Bangor Ladies would also like to record their appreciation to all those who attended the clubs recent ‘Quiz Night’ held in Bangor football Club, last Friday evening (7th). The Seasiders; would also like to thank quizmaster Terry Hagan for the excellent compering of the evening, and of course all those businesses who generously donated prizes for the ballot, namely The Ava; Bangor Auto Parts; BT (N.I.), The Clandy, Clear Pharmacy, Face Facts, Green Chilli, The Hilton Templepatrick; Kelly Cowan, La Belle Femme, Oceanis Health Club, Ray McEvoy, Rioja, Ruby Palace, Sammy Mellons & Sons, Alex Mellon, Kinesiology, and The Spar Braniel.

Last Edited on 11-May-2010 3:57 PM