Leanne McGarry netted in Bangor Ladies league curtain closer.

Seasiders survive

Bangor Ladies maintain Division Two status

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, maintained their status in Division Two of the Northern Ireland Women’s Football Association League, despite finishing their 2010 campaign with defeat at the hands of Strabane based Cladding Spurs on Tuesday evening (24th).


Although the result bore no significance in terms of Bangor Ladies league table position, the Sammy Mellon and Sons sponsored club did themselves justice with a solid performance and despite the result put in a commendably shift away from home.


With the Seasiders season effectively over, it was down to the basics for those willing to travel thie distance to represent the North Down club: Tina Sharpe, Valerie McKibbin, Leanne McGarry, Jenny Boyd, Christina McNamara, Lauren McAteer, Lyndsey Turville, Trish Webb, Suzanne Rea, Natasha Lee.


Having arrived at the venue just 10 minutes before the scheduled kick off, it was too much to expect that the travellers would start sharply. And so it was to prove, as after just 6 minutes, the Seasiders were really up against it, from a throw in their own half, the visitors effectively gifted the lead to Clappagh Spurs.


Boosted by the start, Clappagh were clearly up for it and were quickly stamping their authority all over the less than impressive Seasiders. Within the next five minutes, Sharpe in goals had single handedly kept the visitors in the game with two outstanding stops.


With Bangor clearly still on the back foot and rocking, McAteer produced some much needed quality in midfield and put Lee in for what should have been the equalizer., and restored some confidence in her team.


Bangor now settled and were matching the Spurs team in all departments – McGarry in particularly was adopting a sweeper role and a combination of good goalkeeping and decisive defending repelled any further threat before the break.


Drama followed, as Rea was felled heavily inside the area and the official had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Leading goalscorer for the second year in a row, Natasha Lee taking responsibility, struck the ball well, but the goalkeeper made a fantastic stop and somehow pushed the effort over the crossbar.


Although Bangor were struggling at times McGarry and the injured Boyd were excellent in the centre of defence and Sharpe in the Bangor goal, was inspired – making three further astonishing saves to keep the Seasiders in the contest.


At the break, the teams were still only separated by the single goal. Bangor manager Craig was delighted with his teams resolve and application, and despite Boyd suffering a dead leg, was forced to send the same eleven back out.



In almost a repetition of the first half, another mistake, this time at the start of the second half saw the home team double their advantage to go 2-0, and perhaps see the collapse of a clearly despondent North down coast team.


The response was far from a collapse more of a wake up call, and the Seasiders inspired at the back by captain McGarry, enjoyed their best spell as Turville, Webb McNamara and McAteer took control of the midfield and began to push the shocked visitors back.


Rea up front had one effort which was well saved, while Lee just seemed to be on a mission to score. The talented youngster pushed, probed and forced the Spurs defence at every opportunity, and almost got her side back into it on three occasions.



Again Lee was through and although rounding the advancing goalkeeper, the Cladagh Spurs left back did get just enough of a touch to thwart the young striker, who was about to pull the trigger. Another corner and this time McGarry was in the right place to get the goal, which the Seasiders had clearly wanted.


But it just wasn’t too be, despite the high tempo and gusto attitude of the visitors, Clappagh extended their advantage with 15 minutes left on the clock. Arguably the best goal of the night, a 20 yard low drive which this time did sail past Sharpe in goal.


With Bangor surprisingly still chasing the game, even at this late stage, Lee again had two good opportunities late on. The Bangor teenager first rasping one over from wide out right, then shaving the outside of a upright from a free kick awarded when Webb was cut down just outside the penalty box.


The final notable action took place with just 2 minutes left. With the light fading dramatically Clappagh Spurs added a fourth in the dusk to bring the Seasiders’ disappointing season to a disappointing conclusion.


Bangor Ladies manager Andy Craig: “Although we were beaten on the night, by the better side, I was delighted with the performance of the team I put out. Everyone gave it their all, and regardless of the result, that is all that a coach or manager can ask of their charges.


“It was a good performance, considering the significance of an end of season game – and it would be fair to say that it sort of summed up our season.

The injury prone Seasiders never hit the heights of 2009

“With these elements fresh in my mind, there is clearly a lot of work to be done during the winter – and it is hoped that Bangor Ladies can bring in some new faces – to inject some fresh impetus into the club for the challenges that lie ahead in 2011.”

Last Edited on 4-Sep-2010 7:55 AM