Moyola gift Seasiders with late withdrawal

Bangor Ladies maintain third place

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, maintained their hold on third spot in the division two table courtesy of a walkover. Wednesday (10th) nights intended opponents Moyola Park Ladies failing to field a team, pulled out of the fixture, around 5.30, just two hours before the scheduled kick off time of 7.30 p.m.


Although Bangor Ladies will welcome the addition of three points, which consolidates their 3rd spot in the table, Moyola may well face a hefty fine from the NIWFA League Council, and should be liable for all of the Bangor teams expenses (£36.60).


With the Seasiders just starting to emerge from a deepening injury crisis: club captain Cathy Duncan, who along with first team regulars Christina McNamara, Dee Savage, Carolyn Scott, and Bridget Finegan have all been unavailable for selection, stripping the side of its backbone.


Although severely weakened, the Sammy Mellon & Sons sponsored side had still been breaking some reasonable returns, currently beaten only once in their previous 23 league encounters, showing that the team, although perhaps short of bite had still the ability to wrestle something out of seemingly lost causes.


This one, on paper, did look an interesting match-up, Bangor were just one point ahead of the intended visitors and had been, at least starting to get into a good run, unbeaten since their opening game of the 2010 season, a 4-0 humbling at Derry City in mid April.


Bangor manager Andy Craig therefore looked to the clubs latest additions to step up. With Angie Young and Kerrie Woods, making their debuts last week against Wellington; it would be the turn of Ruth Evans and Daphne Lawther who had been drafted into the squad for this important clash between these two side, who had started the evening in third and fourth place respectively in the table.


With most of the Bangor players already committed to the fixture, Moyola leaving it very late to announce their inability to field sufficient numbers in order that this game went ahead, the home side switched to an impromptu light training session, which thankfully didn’t induce any more injuries. For the record, the League secretary awarded the home side a 2-0 win


Having bagged the points however, the teams actual league position as the divisional championships reaches the half way point, makes for healthy reading for the local ladies football club.


With Bangor manager Andy Craig, reasonably content: “To be honest, third place is more than I expected. The opener against Derry put us on the back foot, and the team has responded positively.


“It is left me quietly confident of maintaining a mid table position come September, which is something, which at the start of this season, was the most I could expect from the team this season.


“I know we are capable of doing better, but I would need to have everyone back from injury, and I know that is not going to happen over night. But I guess that is just part and parcel of the frustrations of being a manager.


“But at this stage, I am delighted with the effort and so far, the performance of the side, and I hope we should kick on in the later half of the year, with a slot in the top four which remains our priority.


“Along with that, I have an eye on the Divisional Cup, which was drawn last Tuesday (9th) evening, and with the travelling in mind, we’ve got to be reasonably happy with the outcome. A short jaunt away to Dungoyne."

Dee Savage, latest casualty at the North Down club

THE 2010 DIVISIONAL CUP DRAW

The quarterfinal draw for the Divisional Cup see Bangor Ladies away to Dungoyne Ladies, the tie will take place on Thursday, 24th June. The full draw is Ballymoney who host Wellington Recreational; 1st Bangor (Newtownards) travel to Strabane to take on Clappagh Spurs while the Division Two leaders Derry City Ladies welcome Moyola Park to the maiden city. All games are scheduled to take place on the week beginning June 21st.

Last Edited on 25-Jun-2010 8:10 AM