With the scheduled league fixture on Tuesday evening, away to Knockbreada Ladies postponed - Bangor Ladies were on the road last night (Wed., 25th) in a NIWFA League Cup 1st Round fixture, to take on Intermediate A side Armagh Ladies at Holm Park, in Ardmore.
The kick off was delayed due to a number of hold ups travelling down the M1, but eventually got underway at 7.45 p.m. under threatening dark skies - the game was reduced to 35 minutes each way in order that it would be played to a completion.
The Seasiders came into the match with a gung-ho attitude. The NIWFA cup so much the holy grail to the top clubs in the Province - as a competition for the North Down side, it merely serves as a distraction to their main attention - the Intermediate B Division League campaign - while there may well be a twist and perhaps the odd turn up in the competition - it will be won, by one of the top three clubs who have dominated the trophy for the last 10 years - current Northern Ireland champions Belfast United, Newtownabbey Strikers or The Predators.
Sharpe chasing down before the injury which forced her withdrawal
Bangor however travelled with an inexperienced side, without a number of first teamers - injuries forcing out two regular starters, although under strength, this doesn’t excuse three late sick notes being handed in - which proved to be the nail in the coffin of the Seasiders who were embarrassed into only managing to field 11 players.
With no history between the two sides, the visiting side went on the offensive, deciding to attack and try to intimidate the home side and this tactic was definitely working early on - although both sides soon settled it was end to end stuff in the first ten.
A clearance from Gemma Black, who had a great game.
Dockery in the Bangor goal was very solid early on and her quick release was catching the Armagh back out with the length of the kick getting them to turn and defend deep and facing their own penalty area.
The opening strike indeed came from a deep kick, with real credit to the work ethic of Cathy Duncan, who leads by example, never gives up and chases down every ball - covering every blade of grass and her gamble in anticipating the long pass was enough to unsettle the goalkeeper who hesitated and with her advantage lost, Duncan got in for the vital touch to take the ball around the Armagh no. 1 and blast the ball deep in to the bottom corner.
With just 14 minutes played - probably the pivotal moment of the evening - Tina Sharpe beating the offside trap was closed down quickly, turning inside, the latest Bangor recruit pulled up and fell to the ground awkwardly, where she was to lay motionless for several minutes - the injury, a twisted knee was severe and the young Bangor teenager was immediately withdrawn from the contest.
The pace of the game which had started positively remained relentless - then more bad news of the visitors - Kim Dockery in goals tweaked hamstring and with Sharpe unable to return the Seasiders were effectively reduced to nine for the rest of the contest - Armagh understandably seizing the opportunity to exploit their numerical advantage.
Action from Wednesday evening's NIWFA Cup clash at Holm Park
A glimmer of light, a second away strike, similar to the first in that the goalkeeper was unsettled by the movement up front and the speed of the attack, this time Jenny Boyd in her first full league game for the North Down side, gambled on the ball to the far post and again the finish was blasted into the goal to make it two nil.
At this point lone striker Lisa Mahood isolated up front was reduced to a bystander with four defenders to deal with - the ball just kept coming back at the visiting Bangor defence - two quick goals for the home team, despite two equally fine stops from stand in Dockery - came from corners and both were very well executed - Armagh had exposed a chink in the armour of a make-shift defence, with Armagh extending their lead to 3-2 manager Craig feared a collaspe.
A spell of ten minutes before the break was to see the home side dig in and adding a fourth, Armagh threatened to run away with the fixture - but some good commanding play at the back from Black made sure Bangor saw it through to the half time interval.
After a reshuffle the Seasiders continued to work extremely hard in the second half, battling against a very talented and technically gifted Armagh side - repelling wave after wave of pressure. Their reward for the endeavour saw the Seasiders producing a suprise third away goal, which changed the tie completely.
The Seasiders gave a good account of themselves in the cup.
Webb stealing in at right back got the ball out wide to McNamara, who exploded down the right, a neat exchange with Mahood and a cross was swung across the penalty box where first Duncan lashed out missing, then Scott again on the back stick got the touch to make it - 4-3 an the home side were edgy.
Armagh though were still applying pressure searching for the goal which would kill the opposition off and with the light fading Bangor held firm, the defending flawless, McNamara and Scott also getting back to help out. Gemma Black though in the middle remained formidable and dominated when challenged.
The killer goal - was a complete spoiler to the fixture - the referee deciding that a ball bouncing around the penalty box had been deliberately handled - a disputed decision which just spoiled the last 8 minutes of the game, as it served to gift the home side the key advantage - once again an official - ends up being the most decisive factor in the game - although it may seem like sour grapes, it was a fixture dampened by this moment of poor judgement - however, it must be said - the best team on the night - Armagh Ladies, deservedly went through - while Bangor came back home, via the Craigavon A&E nursing a few knocks but with the back bone of the side’s pride and integrity intact.
Bangor's Christine Morrison covers Black late in the second half
Manager Andy Craig: “It was a game we went into against all the odds, losing a player proved decisive - for 15 minutes towards the end of the first half we struggled with the pace and talent of what is a very good football club.
The second half brought out the best in us - everything we finished the season with last year - composure, hard work ethic and above all - the character in the heart of the club - Duncan again colossal in midfield, young Jenny Boyd tenacious and got into the record books with an important goal; Morrison, Webb and Graham under pressure didn’t buckle and worked as a unit, while Gemma Black’s contribution was outstanding.
“We didn’t really get the ball out to the flanks of a compact defence as much as we should have, with the pace of McNamara and Scott, while Mahood was to hard to get to with three and some times four defenders in close attendance.
"However - it was a very positive result for the club - and one which will benefit us in the coming weeks - with big games in the league coming up."
Duncan gets off the mark with the well taken opener.
One setback for Bangor Ladies was the loss of debutante Tina Sharpe twisting her knee and ended up in Craigavon Hospital where she was treated for damaged ligaments.
Tina will be out for a number of weeks, although is very determined to get over the setback, it is this determination and commitment to the club which can set an example to some of the more seasoned experienced footballers.
The club’s next league game is on Tuesday evening, at the Valentines, due to the Seniors being involved in the first leg of a crucial play off for the chance to represent the town in the top flight of Irish League football - the ladies section would like to wish Chairman Trevor Best and all the Players and staff at Bangor Football Club the very best of luck in this one.
Looking ahead to a big game on Tuesday night, Julie Graham clears
Last Edited on 3-May-2007 2:54 PM
