Bangor’s Lisa Mahood rattled in an impressive double for Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, as the side secured their first Intermediate B Division points of the 2007 NIWFA ladies football season, with a 3-2 triumph over visitors PSNI, at Clandeboye Park on Tuesday (17th) evening.
Although reasonably content with the result, Senior Club Manager Andy Craig added “This was a game which had we converted half the chances that we had created, it would have been done and dusted by half time, but PSNI are a vastly improved side from last season, and proved that if you do, keep getting let off the hook, with only a single goal in the game - there is always a chance you could nick something."
Bangor got off to a flyer at Clandeboye Park, getting the early goal
“I have to take the positives out of what proved a very frustrating evenings football, although we got the all important win under our belts, there was a price to pay with a couple of key players picking up injuries ahead of our cup fixture against Armagh Ladies next Wednesday evening - I've lost Dee Savage for that one, and Matthews is a doubt - however we wanted a good start to the divisional campaign and despite leaving it quite late - we got the desired three points chalked up on the board.”
Squad: Peggy Matthews; Trish Webb, Christine Morrison, Kim Dockery, Jackie Price; Christina McNamara, Cathy Duncan (Captain), Julie Graham, Valerie McKibben, Lisa Mahood, Deirdre Savage. Subs: Jenny Boyd, Susan Cull.
Although the Clandeboye Park arena was bathed in sunshine, it is not too hard to remember that it’s still early April, as there was a biting chill in the swirling wind which ensured that the temperature would drop rapidly as the sun gave way to the evening’s dusk.
The playing surface was also proving a bit difficult to adjust to, with the sustained dry spell of weather making the ground unusually hard under foot and this was to cause the home side some problems throughout the fixture.
Bangor’s Captain and last season’s Player of the Year Cathy Duncan having won the toss, the Northern Ireland Women’s Football Associations’ 2007 season got underway with the home side, donned with their new all black home kit supplied by Hyundai dealers Sammy Mellon, kicked off attacking the Clandeboye Road end of the stadium.
The Seasiders had been sent out with a deliberate game plan to keep a very high tempo to the contest and settled into a good rhythm in the early stages.
Playing a diamond shape, Graham starting just in front of the back four, while Duncan was left with the responsibility in the centre of the park, some neat passing and slick exchanges on both flanks put the visitors on the back foot - with the partnership of Mahood and Savage up front forcing some early touches for the PSNI keeper.
Bangor gave up the lead twice before securing the late winner
It would only be fair the say Bangor were very quick out of the traps in this league opener and could have taken advantage of the good start when three guilt-edge chances went begging - match sharpness proving the barrier between rattling up a reasonable lead in the early stages.
With Bangor in the ascendency the goal which had been threatening, duly arrived with top goalscorer Deirdre Savage fittingly driving in from close range to open her account after some good work from Duncan in midfield.
The pattern of the game soon settled - Bangor pushing forward and looking to kill the fixture off - while PSNI, who to be fair were not going down without a fight, looking to hit the home side on the break.
Then the first of the nights controversial moments with a high ball dropping over the back four - with Savage baring down between the two centre halves - the keeper deciding to come for the ball, and both a defender and goalkeeper clattered into the unfortunate Bangor forward sending her crashing heavily to the ground.
With all three players colliding, the ball fell to Cathy Duncan and with no whistle, she whacked into the empty net 2-0. Only after a short stoppage for the three winded players to get treatment - the referee decided to reverse the decision, awarding PSNI a freekick.
Within minutes of this reversal - more indecision as the visitors snatched an unlikely equaliser. A ball played through saw three PSNI players clearly in offside positions, but the referee allowed them to play on and from the resulting low drive Matthews in the Bangor goal, who had been relatively untested, made a point blank stop, but in the process sustained an injury to her left hand, which left her incapacitated as the rebound fell kindly and was turned in to make it 1-1.
Despite this setback Bangor still looked comfortable, with first McNamara from a drive from the right and then Savage almost restoring the Seasiders’ lead just moments later, after a fortuitous touch from the knee of Mahood, but the effort was well saved by the PSNI No. 1.
Their was a just a faint hint of frustration creeping into the Bangor attack as despite dominating and capable of playing the better football - the visitors tactic of playing it first time from the back - with the hard surface the ball was spending too much time up in the air.
Following the half-time break, Jackie Price, nursing an ankle ligament injury was replaced by league debutante Jennifer Boyd and the Belfast teenager soon settled into the fray with some very positive tackling and direct forward play, linking up with McKibben on the left side.
Another let off as Savage forced a good save from the inform PSNI stalwart the resultant clearance being rattled back in, striking the base of the post and rebound straight into the stranded goalkeepers arms - it was one of those nights.
The Seasiders did get it down and started playing the ball to feet following the introduction of play maker Susan Cull - the lead was quickly restored, this time with a good finish from Lisa Mahood, spearheading the attack following the injury to Savage who although was bravely carrying on, the battering taken in the first half, had restricted the fluency of her movement up front.
Strike partner Mahood though compensated by upping her own work rate and was subsequently rewarded by getting of the mark with a good finish. 2-1.
Early season injury worries for Bangor Ladies tainted the night
A clear and blatant penalty claim, which would given the Bangor side a deserved 2-goal cushion was then rejected - despite the clarity of the offence, which almost brought the game to a stand still, the visitors clearly expecting the spot kick to be given - but understandably and quite rightly playing on when their was no whistle forthcoming.
With things just turning against the Bangor side - PSNI enjoyed what proved to be their best spell in the match - although the defence of Webb, Dockery, Morrison and Boyd were solid as a back four, the long ball tactic was testing their quality, the conditions - their concentration.
The breakthrough for the away side came from the second of two well taken corners swung in from the left side, the first was scrambled away from the front post out to safety - but with the warning not heeded - the second, almost a carbon copy was left and this time the ball found its way into the net 2-2.
For just a few moments, this dramatic late twist did seem to deflate the home side momentum, leaving them stunned at the turn round in fortunes - but a well struck free kick from Dockery seemed to inspire the Seasiders back into the game, and in midfield Duncan responded by putting the foot back on the pedal and going for the points.
McNamara was proving the biggest threat down the right, the Seasiders were pushing for the winner which although they looked the more likely to get, with the scores tied it was turning out to be a thrilling last third of the game which in the first half looked decidedly one-sided.
Bangor continued to press for the winner with Savage and Mahood both creating half chances for themselves, but some resolute goalkeeping and last ditch defending - it looked as if neither side would be able to break the deadlock.
Mahood went close after McNamara’s shot fell nicely for the striker 18 yards out and the resulting low effort cruelly struck the outside of the post and away to safety.
Duncan then had a effort cleared off the line after McKibben linking up with Cull, had drawn the keeper out wide on the left - it just would happen for the Bangor side.
Lisa Mahood netted a double at Clandeboye Park
With just six minutes left on the clock, the frustration which had been creeping in the home side game was tangible as first Duncan, after some clever exchanges down the left by McKibben and Boyd, drove a first time effort over the bar when nudged through.
With the home side continuing to create the better chances, PSNI certainly rode their luck relying on the tactic and launching a route one ball from the back and hoping to snatch a winner on the counter attack.
The winning goal which the game deserved, came with just minutes remaining - and it went to the side who probably deserved it on the night - again good work from Duncan, Cull and McNamara giving Lisa Mahood a half chance, and like all good strikers that’s all she needed, turning the ball in with a textbook finish driving low across the keeper and in off the inside of the upright.
There were a few late nerves but the defence held a high line and Matthews thankfully wasn’t troubled as the game fizzled out, the first three points of the season staying at Clandeboye Park, though the home sided making extremely hard work of seuring the result, but getting there in the end. 3-2 Bangor.
The club’s next outing is against Armagh Ladies at Holm Park, Ardmore in the NIWFA League Cup next Wednesday evening, and then it’s back to league action with a game against Wellington Recreational the following Tuesday (May 1st). With the Mens side possibly in play-off action - this game could be switched to the Valentines.
Gemma Black - Bangor Ladies F.C.'s latest signing
Bangor Football Club are delighted to welcome former Northern Ireland international Gemma Black to the club. Gemma comes to a club with quite a reputation for success - having being involved with a number of very successful league championship winning years playing at the top level. Formerly with Carrick Rangers, where she was part of a team which ran away with the NIWFA Intermediate B title, Gemma will be a tremendous signing for the Seasiders - and hopes to make her debut against Armagh Ladies next Wednesday, in the NIWFA Cup fixture.
Congratulations to Trevor Best, Chairman of Bangor Football Club on securing a chance of promotion back into the top flight of the Irish League, following the win over Croagh United last Saturday at Clandeboye Park - this result sets up a two game series which could take Bangor back into the Premier Division of the Irish League.
Training will continue this Sunday at the Valentines, new players welcome, meet 2 p.m. or for more information on ladies football in Northern Ireland just go to the club’s comprehensive website at www.ndlfc.com and email us at Bangor Ladies Football Club and the club will contact you.
Last Edited on 31-Mar-2008 11:35 AM
