Natasha Lee netted either side of half time as Bangor finally got back on track.

Ladies back on track at Clandeboye Park

Bangor Ladies finish with 3 points at home

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club got back on track last Tuesday (10th) at Clandeboye Park, as Andy Craig’s side chalked up an important home victory against Wellington Recreational, in what was the Seasiders last competitive home game of 2010.

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Although it was a fairly comfortable win, Craig was particularly pleased with both the effort and application of his team, who looked sharper and more determined than they have done for several weeks.


"After a poor run of form, it was a good performance, the passing was back, fluent and decisive. With the constant changes in personnel, due to the injury crisis, we have not been at our best, so to witness the players respond and get back to playing some decent football was important.

Susan Cull pulled the strings in midfield.

“It’s been a frustrating last few weeks with the run-in being plagued with inconsistency and a loss of confidence.


“This game will go a bit to restore some of that confidence and just as important as the three points on offer – was the pride of the team in general.”


It was once again, a superb evening for football – pleasant sunshine welcomed both sides on to the lush, even playing surface. Clandeboye Park was in excellent condition as usual, and it was evident form the very early stages, it was a game Bangor would dominate with some neat and decisive passing football.


Squad: Tina Sharpe; Paula Dougherty, Leanne McGarry, Jenny Boyd, Valerie McKibben; Ruth Evans, Lauren McAteer, Susan Cull, Trish Webb; Dee Savage, Natasha Lee. Subs: Lynsey Turville, Roisin McLarnon, Tara McShane and Angie Young.


Cull starting in midfield has benefited from playing the last few matches and this has improved the sharpness to her game, and twinned with the tenacious teenager McAteer, it was through the midfield that the chances were being engineered.


In truth both strikers Lee and Savage had good chances to fire the Seasiders into a lead within the first ten minutes, a combination of good goalkeeping and some bad luck kept things even during this spell.


Having opened well, the Seasiders continued to play good stuff and were creating chances at will. Having been denied on no fewer then four occasions, both Bangor strikers would continue to penetrate and probe into the visitors half. Savage clean through, again forced an excellent save, then McGarry headed over from a well-drilled Lee corner.


Despite the dominance the opening goal came against the run of play as Bangor found themselves trailing for the fifth game in a row. An Ashlee Houston shot from a free kick from 20 yards flew over the wall and right past a surprised Tina Sharpe in goals.


However the response to this set back was immediate and excellent, as the Seasiders didn’t panic and continued to play the sort of football, which they had opened the game playing. The back four were content to pass the ball out rather than just clear it, and this gave Webb and Evans an opportunity to link up out wide.


The home team continued to press, the midfield work the key to a half of controlled football, which opened the game up. Another clever ball from Cull gave Lee a great opportunity, and then Webb also might have tucked one away, as Bangor threatened.


Next it was the turn of Evans coming from the right to blast just wide at the back post, as it seemed Bangor were over-running the Wellington defence.


Finally, the break through on 25 minutes, from a well hit corner from Lee, met by McGarry and this time she hit the target though the Wellington keeper again made a good stop, the ball falling for the instinctive young McAteer who swept it straight in from six yards to snatch the equalizer.


This strike inspired the Bangor team to really go for it from the restart, and it was surely only a matter of time, despite the excellent display from the Wellington number one before the Seasiders started to convert some of the chances the team were creating.

Savage tapped in the third after good work from Evens on the right

So, it was no surprise, as Bangor did take the lead, the industrious Lee who had been going through a frustrating spell without scoring, finally found the back of the net. Cull again pulling the strings in midfield put a great ball through and this time the teenager made no mistake and blasted low and hard into the bottom corner, giving the keeper no chance.


Dougherty at right back was another who was having a good game, and she was linking up with Evans on the right side, and it was a combination from these two which lead to the third goal for the Seasiders just before the break.


A clever one two and Evans was free down the right and having got behind the Wellington, played a great ball across the penalty box for the advancing Savage to meet and slam home in the middle of the goal. Half time 3-1.


With the Seasiders in control manager Craig sacrificed both wide players Webb and Evans to introduce Young at left back and debutee McLarnon up front.


McLarnon, an experienced, talented former premier division footballer, although having not played competitively for a few years, is considered, even at this stage of the season, an important signing for the management at Bangor Ladies.

Lee rattled in Bangor's fourth from 25 yards

Again the chances came and went as Bangor continued to play some good entertaining football, exorcising the recent dismals performances with spells of good open football.


And disappointingly for the Seasiders, again the Wellington goalkeeper continued to deny the home team with at least three excellent saves.


Another new signing Tara McShane then came on for the struggling Dougherty who had to be withdrawn, although this reshuffle didn’t disrupt the good display as McLarnon headed over, then Savage blasted wide, as Bangor continued to look to extend their advantage.


However the visitors held on and it took an absolute top class strike from 25 yards in the 75th minute, before their goal was finally breached. Natasha Lee unleashing a ferocious shot, which rattled in off the bottom of the crossbar into the net to conclude the scoring and a good night for Bangor ladies.


For more information on Bangor Ladies Football Club - the Borough's only Premier Ladies football club and details of how to get involved in the "World's Fastest Growing Sport" just contact Andy Craig (Manager) on 077322 77854. All new players are always very welcome.

Last Edited on 12-Aug-2010 9:28 AM