Carrick took advantage of North Downs slow start
North Down Ladies
fall to league leaders
North Down Ladies took on League leaders Carrick Rangers last night (9th) in the first of two very tough back-to-back away fixtures against the Taylor’s Avenue based Ladies Football Club.
This first fixture was a Intermediate B Division game, which will be followed by a Womens IFA Senior First Round Cup game, scheduled for next Tuesday (16th) at the same venue.
North Down looked to start the fixture with some of the momentum which brought them their first ever 3 points of the season, when they recorded a good 4-1 home win at Clandeboye Park last Tuesday evening - Kim Dockery with a hat-trick and Susan Cull rattling in the other score.
Though this season promises to be another massive test for the Borough’s premier ladies football club - and one in which the main emphasis will be on gaining some NIWFA experience, and the necessary league points to ensure a top four finish - while trying to maintain the club’s passing game which has been a feature of their first couple of league fixtures.
With the club travelling with a very inexperienced side, in what is only their third ever competitive football fixture, it was crucial that North Down Ladies could return home to Bangor with a good performance - although the result didn’t reflect the effort put into the game, the performance in the second half was very commendable - and it had to be - the visitors having not turned up for the first 40 minutes.
Line Up: Cathy Duncan; Paula Dougherty, Trish Webb, Jackie Price, Joanna Williamson; Angie Young, Susan Cull, Lisa Mahood, Christina McNamara; Tanya Black, Deirdre Savage. Subs: Julie Graham and Suzanne Rea.
This however proved a mismatch on the night with the visitors struggling with a make shift eleven due to unavailability and injuries etc., while in contrast Carrick looked very strong from the off and were soon in control of the game right from the kick off - rattling in three quick strikes before North Down even got into the game.
With the set back of being three down inside 10 minutes the visitors never recovered and Carrick continued to dominate and take advantage of their supremacy and the game as a contest was over by half time.
The visitors tried to lift it and got their reward in the second half
Despite the deficit - North Down ladies were not prepared to give up and did give a good account of themselves in the second half - but it was all too late in terms of the result and Carrick, who started the evening at the top of the league table, comfortably maintained that position - North Down though - like so many new teams in their first season - had to take this one on the chin and hopefully will have learned more from this defeat - than the win last week.
One consolation was the effort of the team in the second half which although Carrick had the game won - their still pushed and looked to inflict more pain on the young visitors - Deirdre Savage though got a morale boosting first league strike and at least the club brought something back to Bangor - along with the miserable result.
Best of the night though were the efforts of Lisa Mahood working tirelessly in midfield and playing some neat football out wide; Deirdre Savage, who although starved of any supply in the first half - came out in the second and launched a personal onslaught on the home defence - and was rewarded with her strike; and finally Christina McNamara who never stopped running and contesting everything and happy to run at the Carrick defence, and an inspiration for her team-mates. A mention also for Suzanne Rea - who made a second half appearance as substitute, coming on for Joanna Wiliamson.
Christina McNamara - who never stopped running and gave 100% in this one
Although its still early days in the league, the Bangor based side will be looking to lift themselves and keep focused on the priority for this season - a top four league position which would be a very respectable result, in what is a very tough and difficult division.
North Down Ladies next league outing will be an important one on Tuesday 23rd, when following this result - the character of the side will be tested when the club face their first real test when they line up against Wellington Ladies at home, and try and restore some pride and bag another important three points.
North Down Ladies would like to send their best wishes to Peggy Mathews who is recovering from a car accident which has ruled her out for the foreseeable future, although will be welcoming back from injury another youngster Alanna Sloan soon.
North Downs Ladies F.C.
Last Edited Guest on 10-May-2006 5:53 AM
