A Ferris double gave Bangor Ladies the win on Wednesday evening - Bangor now face Crumlin United next week (22nd)
One clean sheet, a Ferris double and all three points for the Seasiders'
Bangor Ladies Football Club recorded their first clean sheet of their 2013 divisional campaign, this evening (15th), ensuring the club moved up to the top of the Division Two table, picking up a hard earned three points against Chimney Corner Ladies at Bangor Sportsplex, on the Old Belfast Road, Bangor on the way. Midfielder Sophie Ferris scored both goals in an entertaining first half as the young North Down team made it three wins in four outings this season.The Seasiders' had to work extremely hard to hold on though after the interval, as the visitors went searching for a way back into the game - but luck favoured the home team, with the crossbar and upright both coming to the Seasiders' rescue and it was evident that it was the local support who welcomed the full time whistle which signaled the end of the game.
Bangor Ladies manager Andy Craig started with another new line-up of Anna Daley; Rebecca Adams, Leanne McGarry, Laura McGimpsey, Niomi McCullough; Sophie Ferris, Mollie Moore, Leanne McElroy, Lauranna Baine, Jessica Beers, Jordan Baine. Subs (all used) Sophie McGuile, Oonagh Duff and Ana Cabechina.
It was a fixture, which although Bangor certainly did ride their luck in, particularly in the second half - that has provided the club with not only an important three points but one - which will hopefully add confidence to a team which is, in effect, in a transitional stage. The club has given debuts to ten new players already this season and is still arguably searching to establish it's best starting eleven. Tonight though - all those who turned out, gave 100 per cent and it was fitting that after the hard work put in by the entire squad - that Ferris put the finishes touches to net twice and secure the points which were on offer.
Bangor Ladies Lauranna Baine in Wednesday night's victory.
Chimney Corner, despite playing a tough cup match on Monday evening, certainly didn't appear jaded and had a real go at the home team but the Seasiders' refused to let them back into what proved an intriguing contest, and who in the context of effort, thoroughly deserved the credit for sticking to their game plan of working extremely hard off the ball. Good returns in terms of performance all over the pitch - but special mention for goalscorer Ferris, who hadnt scored in over a year, the teenager taking both goals well, an industrious McElroy in the middle of the park who ran herself into the ground, Adams again flawless starting at right back, and an inspirational display at the centre of a stubborn defence by McGimpsey and McGarry capped a memorable evening.
The superb work ethic will now have to be matched next Wednesday evening (22nd) as the Seasiders' will travel to just outside Aldergrove, to take on local ladies Crumlin United - in the first of three games in just eight days. MATCH REPORT & PICTURES
Bangor Ladies back on track with win against Killyleagh
Bangor Ladies Football Club, put last week’s disappointment behind them as the team got back to winning ways, on the road last night (8th) with a 2-1 win at the Killyleagh showgrounds. Two fine individual goals either side of the interval – first by midfielder Mollie Moore and then left back Jessica Beers were enough for the Seasiders’ to chalk up their second win of the season and restore the team back up to the top end of the divisional table.
Starting on a dry and well-presented local pitch, though under threatening dark skies were Anne Daley; Rebecca Adams, Leanne McGarry, Oonagh Duff, Jessica Beers; Sophie Ferris, Mollie Moore, Victoria Kitchen, Lauranna Baine; Jordan Baine and Sophie McGuile. The team, still smarting from what was a disappointing performance last week against Portadown were hoping that they could quickly erase the memory of that one with a better showing in this their second game in a row on the road.
Bangor did start well enough and did establish an early advantage from a well worked set piece - Ferris heading in powerfully from a corner swung in by Kitchen, but the goal was unfortunately ruled out by the official who spotted an infringement off the ball. Bangor responded before half time though, this time with a well taken individual goal from Moore who showed great composure after charging down a clearance – the midfield player skilfully lobbed the ball into the empty net. Bangor doubled their advantage midway through the second half – left back Beers drilling a ball low and hard into the corner which looked to have sealed the points. An industrious Killyleagh however closed the gap with a late consolation goal which gave them hope of maybe snatching at least a point, but Bangor saw out the final 12 minutes and despite a number of opportunities to make this a more comfortable win, the visitors were in the end, happy enough to have held on to the lead at the final whistle and secure the three points.
Next up is a game, at home against Chimney Corner – this was due to take place on Tuesday at the Valentines – but with Chimney Corner involved in a cup fixture on Monday 13th – the Seasiders’ have to re-arranged this one to take place on Wednesday 15th May at the Sportsplex Playing Fields, Old Belfast Road, Bangor. MATCH REPORT & PICTURES.
Seasiders' fail against Portadown
Bangor Ladies who had made a great start to their 2013 competitive season at home last Tuesday evening with a win against PSNI - went down 3-0 to Portadown Ladies tonight (1st) as the Seasiders' failed to register against the home team at Kernan Playing Fields. The visitors, always struggling to make any impression, tried to get going and keep going, but it wasn't to be, the side losing to a useful local team who recorded their second successive win of the division two campaign. The North Down team, who had looked so impressive in their opener last week just did not get into their passing ryhmn or took the game to the opposition - which had been a feature in the match against PSNI - in truth in this one they never really got any foothold in a game which slipped away from the visitors after a slow and somewhat disappointing opening half which saw them trail 2-0.
Team: Anna Daley; Niomi McCullough, Oonagh Duff, Leanne McGarry, Lauranna Baine; Sophie Ferris, Mollie Moore, Rebecca Adams, Leanne McEloy; Jessica Beers, Tori Jackson. Subs: Kellie Bailie, Jordan Baine and Ana Cabechina. Following a fairly bright week, which had started well with the win at home in the clubs new strip last Tuesday, it was carried on with a record number of players turning up for senior training last Sunday, with places in the starting line-up for this one a consideration for manager Craig. However, despite having a full compliment of players it was a case of nothing really going right for the Seasiders in this one, as Bangor manager Andy Craig watched the team struggle although was pleased at least with giving debuts to new signings Lauranna and Jordan Baine, which were one of the few notable good points on what was a frustrating trip up the M1 motorway, along with a spirited performance from teenage goalkeeper Anna Daley in her first outing for the Senior team. The club, who are going through a major re-building process this season with several new additions to the roster recently; will need to just put this one down to 'being one of those nights' and will now look to bounce straight back at the first available opportunity - another game on the road next Wednesday (8th) evening - against Killyleagh Ladies. MATCH REPORT
Bangor Ladies go to top of the table
Bangor Ladies football club, got off to a perfect start to their 2013 divisional campaign with an impressive 3-1 win tonight (23rd) against a very experienced PSNI team at The Valentine Playing Fields at the new Aurura Complex with goals from Laura McGimpsey, Tori Jackson and Mollie Moore. The win, will ensure the Seasiders, sporting their brand new kit - sponsored by John Moore, Painter & Decorator, Donaghadee - will go straight to the top of the table with the six other ladies clubs not in action until tomorrow night - so the Bangor club will spend at least 24 hours at the top of the division two table.
Team: Leanne McGarry; Niomi McCullough, Laura McGimpsey, Oonagh Duff, Alanah Burns; Rebecca Adams, Mollie Moore, Victoria Kitchen, Sophie Ferris; Tori Jackson, Leanne McElroy. Subs: Ana Cabechina and Kellie Gillies. Andy Craig had to re-shuffle his squad following the non availability of a number of players just prior to the kick off due to late registrations issues. Also a late withdrawal was striker Sophie McGuile who has a virus though will be back after the weekend. So it handed league debuts for McCullough, McGimpsey, Duff, Jackson and McElroy meaning it was an untried lineout and it certainly paid dividends with the lively front pairing of Jackson and McElroy causing the visitors all sorts of problems as Bangor started quite brightly.
With the home team opening up with some useful football, the midfield quartet of Adams, Moore, Kitchen and Ferris dominated and indeed during this spell it was the Seasiders who forged into the lead - a free kick out on the left from McGimpsey sneaking in off the post to give the home side the lead at the 20 minute mark. PSNI, who had comprehensively beaten their opponents just a few weeks ago did equalise before the break but after the interval Jackson restored the Seasiders advantage with a well taken goal for a young striker who had looked threatening all evening. Moore then capped another all round good performance in the middle of the park with a super free kick from 25 yards which sailed into the roof of the net early in the second half to make it 3-1. PSNI to their credit did rally and came back late on but a resilient Bangor defence held out to take all three points in what was an entertaining closing 15 minutes as darkness swept to extinquish the visitors challenge and catapult the North Down team to the top of the table.
Tori Jackson scored in Bangor's opening game giving the Seasiders the lead
The Bangor club will continue their campaign in their 8th consecutive season in the Northern Ireland Women's Football Association (NIWFA) this Sunday as the club get back to training in a bid to maintain their challenge for some silverware this season. FULL MATCH REPORT AND PICS
Bangor Ladies Prepare for new season
The 2013 season will kick off next week with the first official fixtures of the NIWFA being played on the Monday (22nd) in the Championship - Belfast side St. Matthews will travel to Valley Rangers - who play at the foot of the Mourne Mountains outside Kilkeel, while Limavady have a more favourable journey - away to the 'Candy Stripes' Derry City on the same evening. With the Premiership teams not involved until Wednesday, Bangor Ladies, now the only ladies football club in North Down, following the demise of Newtownards' rivals and albeit familiar namesake 1st Bangor, will get underway in Division Two at home on Tuesday night - all games are scheduled for a 7.30 p.m. kick-off.
Bangor Ladies Tori Jackson - one of a batch of the club's new signings
All other fixtures for the 2013 season have been announced as Bangor Ladies start their quest for silverware this season when they open their campaign against PSNI Ladies at The Valentines on Tuesday (23rd) evening as the Northern Ireland Women's Football Association divisional championships get underway right across the Province. Bangor Ladies, will play their home games at The Valentines (Bangor Aurura) or the new 3G facilities at the brand new leisure complex which has just opened in the borough. In total there are five divisions, featuring 37 bona-fide women's football teams, along with a development league which consists of a number of reserve sides.
Bangor will compete against PSNI, Chimney Corner (formerly Knockbeada), Killyleagh, Ballyvange, Crumlin United, Moyola Park and Portadown Ladies. Originally there were only 6 other clubs in the race for the title however Portadown, who had opted to go up into Division One in February, reversed their decision following the announcement of the league fixtures in March, and were surprisingly re-instated back in division two - adding another two fixtures to the official schedule given to the Seasiders by the league council.
Preparations nonetheless, have been less than ideal, following the loss of not one - but two of the ladies important pre-season games - the first in March against Carnmoney, due to the unprecedented snowfall, the the second, more recently (April 14th) against Craigavon City who failed to field a team - leaving Bangor Ladies manager Andy Craig with a squad well short of the required levels of match fitness with the new season now just days away. Another blow for the North Down club was an injury to ex-First Bangor Northern Ireland international Ashley McBride - a very talented player the Seasiders had hoped to bring to Clandeboye Park this summer to strengthen the team - the teenager unfortunately dislocating her shoulder - an injury which will rule her out for most of the coming months. Top goal scorer Natasha Lee is also out on the sidelines with knee problems which will also rule her out as well, leaving the club well short of fire-power in the opening months of the summer campaign.
Rebecca Adams in the clubs final pre-season game before the league gets underway
The ladies, also lost the experienced Dani Savage to went to the development division - so the management know they have a tough ask regards their aspirations for a serious challenge for the title this season but will hope that the gradual development of a promising batch of youngsters will continue to flourish and bring the club some success as their complete in four competitions over the next couple of months - The league championship, The Divisional Cup, The Coca Cola Cup - in which the Seasiders will face either Banbridge or Larne at home in late May, and the newly founded Co. Antrim Ladies Cup which will get underway in June, Linfield Ladies from the Premier Division will be the visitors in the quarter finals - so there will certainly be a lot of football over the next few months of the summer. Coming in to bolster the squad after these departures through injury for the new season are Tori Jackson, Oonagh Duff, Kirsty Gilmore, Laura McGimpsey, Lauranna Baine, Jordan Baine and Abbie Hull.
The focus though will quite rightly now be on the league opener against PSNI on Tuesday (23rd) evening - a game which will provide a difficult start for Bangor Ladies and one which manager Craig is hoping that the team can find some momentum and hopefully some points to start the campaign off - elsewhere in the division: Chimney Corner host Ballyvange, Moyola travel to Killyleagh and Crumlin United will welcome the re-instated Portadown Ladies to the Co. Antrim village.
Meanwhile Northern Ireland women returned from the Cyprus Cup in last place and pointless as the dismal run of the Irish Football Association's senior teams - both men and women continues to disappoint. In the early part of the millennium, with the sudden emergence of ladies football, the sports governing bodies threw hundreds of thousands of pounds towards enhancing and developing the sport locally and in reflection of the money spent, sadly, it could be argued that over the last ten years the return for this major investment appears to have been not as productive as hoped. The rank and file mid week females footballers who are preparing to compete over the summer will not be too concerned as the local game turns now to the domestics championships - and good luck to all the teams competing.
Bangor Ladies Mollie Moore and teenager Ana Cabecinha in Sunday's friendly.
2013 Membership - Club Numbers
Bangor Ladies FC Squad Numbers Announced for 2013.
Bangor Ladies FC Establish Junior Section
Bangor Ladies football club, affiliated to, and working closely with the Irish Football Association's women's development department continue to deliver girls football for the younger female footballers in the North Down area with the setting up of their Bangor Girls Football Academy last September. Under the guidance of Bangor Ladies senior coach Peter Gilmore along with the club's new Level One coach, midfielder Rebecca Adams, the local ladies football club put their latest batch of talented and enthusiastic young footballers through the first of several initiatives designed to establish a vibrant junior section at the Northern Ireland Women's Football Associations Bangor based club.
Funded as part of the I.F.A. Pilot scheme (Score) local players as young as ten were invited to come along every week to the launch on September 19th held at the Bangor Sportsplex, on the Old Belfast Road, to take part in the 10 week free coaching sessions which gave these local youngsters the opportunity to play what many sports organisations believe to be - one of the world's fastest growing sports - girls football. The sessions re open to players between the ages of 10 - 15 and ran every Sunday afternoon through until November 18th. The coaching sessions were fun-based, took place on the astro, and were free beginning at 1 p.m. and continuing until to 2.15 p.m. each day.
Peter Gilmore and Senior Rebecca Adams (right) with a group of Bangor Girls Academy Juniors currently training and playing at Bangor Sportsplex.
Bangor Ladies F.C. believe that the future success of the North Down club will depend on the building up of the resources through the establishment of a proper junior section for girls under 14, who will hopefully compete in the N.I.W.F.A. (U/14) junior league in 2013 and will be the foundation to provide the club with younger players who will come through the junior structure and to go on and represent the team at senior level in the year's ahead. Women's football was one of the sports, whose popularity was further enhanced at the London 2012 Olympics where record crowds watched the final stages of the tournament which was won by the USA at Wembley Stadium. For more information, see the Bangor Academy section of the website, text 0773 2277874 or email academy@bangorladiesfc.co.uk.
Bangor Ladies announce Award Winners 2012
Bangor Ladies captain and 2012 Player of the Year Leanne McGarry
Bangor Ladies football club,celebrating their 2012 season last night (2nd) at Carnalea Golf Club as the Ladies section of Bangor Football Club announced the club's award winners for 2012. Once again striker Natasha Lee topped the goalscoring table for the fourth successive season with another important contribution during what was a important summer of football Natasha has chalked up over 80 goals in just 4 seasons.Following this, Alanah Burns was then presented with Most Improved Player of the Season - chosen by coach Peter Gilmore. Alanah who arrived at the club just two seasons ago has been sensational and has claimed a regular start at right back and this year, has shown great improvement in all aspects of her game and is destined for more success at her chosen discipline.
Manager Andy Craig's personal choice for Player of the Year was Donaghadee teenager Mollie Moore, a tremendously talented, young footballer who has sacrificed her own attacking aspirations to adapt her football to play wherever needed by the manager - the attacking midfielder had a great year and dug-in defensively on more than one occasion to make sure the team got something from a very difficult campaign. The club's Most Valuable Player 2012 was Victoria Hutton. A experienced player but a fresh face at the start of 2012 at Clandeboye Park - the influential midfielder settled quickly and as the season went on - Vicky went from strength to strength and it didn't go unnoticed as club sponsors Sammy Mellon &; Son awarded their MVP trophy on Friday night to who they believe made the most valuable contribution.
Finally the main award of the evening - The Player's Player of the Year - was awarded to club captain and top rated defender Leanne McGarry who has been with the club for five years bringing with the, her experience and leadership. Leanne has spearheaded the rebuilding of the young team in the past few seasons and has been an inspiration to the batch of young players who have joined North Down';s only ladies football club recently and is a more than worthy selection as their chosen Player of the Year 2012. Bangor Ladies F.C. Roll of Honour
Bangor players set to score
Bangor footballers Sophie McGuile, Dawn Clarke and Rebecca Adams who attending a IFA Level One Coaching Course last August at Cliftonville as part of the UEFA funded Score Pilot Scheme - all three senior players who played for the Seasiders last season and are signed up for this summer will be looking to build on this - the first of their qualifications which will set them on the road to becoming the first generation of Club Coaches at the ladies section. Full Story
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