Bangor Ladies Football Club secured their place in Monday nights second round draw in the NIWFA Women’s Coca Cola Cup, with a comfortable 3-1 first round victory over Wellington Ladies, from Larne, last Tuesday (6th) evening, at the Valentine Playing Fields.
Bangor forced to field a ‘rookie’ lineup at the back, with regulars Webb, Price and Morrison all unavailable, sidelined through injury; Valerie McKibben and Suzanne Rea were added to the blend of experience of last season’s Player of the Year Kim Dockery who was paired with Pegi Matthews in the centre of defence.
No big changes in midfield, Cathy Duncan joined by Julie Graham in the centre, were flanked by Christina McNamara right and Karalyn Scott down the left - who added some pace out wide.
Up front manager Andy Craig finally being able to field his preferred starting strike partnership of Deirdre Savage and Tina Sharpe made this an anticipated evening.
While in goals, Sam Brittain starting her second game for the club in less than a week, hoping to enjoy the experience more than her debut last week - the clubs opener - a miserable league defeat to Saint Mathews at Cherryvale.
Although benefiting from the vital support and status of being involved with a local Irish League side Bangor F.C., where Chairman Trevor Best has recognised the potential of bringing ladies football to Clandeboye Park, the arena itself was unavailable and the fixture was switched late in the day to the nearby Valentine Playing Fields.
On a brighter note this cup fixture seemed to nicely coincide with the official start to the summer with the local playing fields bathed in glorious warm sunshine on what was an equally, glorious evening.
Julie Graham in Tuesday nights Cup win over Wellington
The Seasiders winning the toss, chose to attack the Bloomfield end with the advantage of the glaring sunshine at their backs - whether this tactic was successful of whether just the home side started sharply won’t be up for debate. One thing was certain though, the Seasiders were out of the blocks quickly and got straight at the visiting Wellington Recreational outfit.
With the Seasiders well in control from virtually the kickoff Savage and Scott both had half chances to seize an early lead.
Cathy Duncan got the third decisive goal
Murmurs for an early penalty for the visitors were thankfully dismissed - Matthews adjudged to have been unable to get her hands out of the way - although it would have been a harsh decision, it could easily have been given.
Bangor took full advantage of the let-off and set about getting at the visitors midfield and with some good distribution from Duncan and McNamara, Bangor were able to push the visitors back deep in their own half and threatened in the early stages.
Savage forced a great save off the feet of the Larne No. 1 when breaking through the off side trap - and looked to have regained the sharpness of last season’s record goalscoring tally.
Then Graham almost found a corner when after a half cleared ball deflected into her path 15yards out - the midfielder sweeping the effort along the ground but wide of the mark.
With Bangor looking solid, Dockery marshalling from a central role - Duncan was able to bring both Sharpe and Savage into the game from midfield - Sharpe proving a right handful as she chased everything hit from deep.
The teenager may have been a bit tentative coming back to competitive football after a lengthy injury but having survived some heavy challenges in the first twenty minutes seemed to grow in confidence and gave as good as was handed out.
It was Savage though, who although had yet to get off the mark this season, only needed half a chance and when it finally fell to her through a well timed breakthrough, the striker neatly tucked the ball away to open the scoring for the Seasiders.
The top goalscorer for two consecutive season’s almost doubled that advantage minutes later after some clever work by Scott, this time the striker fiercely blasted wide having shook off the challenge of two defenders.
Bangor did add to their first half tally late on, with a easy tap in after a good save by the visiting goalkeeper, who took the sting out of another effort by Savage only to present the ball to her strike partner Tina Sharpe following up, to make to 2-0 at the break.
Dee Savage got off the mark for the 2008 season
Wellington did press and try to attack in numbers but their only two chances to get into the game came from a series of inswinging corners just before the break - one which was handled well by Brittain in goals and another being cleared off the line by Dockery.
The second half was more of the same - Scott withdrawn to make place for McKibben on the left side of midfield the only change - as Bangor picked up where they left off and the home side continued to dominate precedings.
Sharpe continued to work hard and they were chances for McNamara, Duncan and Savage to extend the lead, but another good stop by Wellington kept the deficit at just the two goals until 15 minute from the end.
The next goal game from some clever hold up play by Sharpe who took a long ball out of defence on the right wing and swept past two strong challenges before releasing the supporting McNamara who broke through the visitors defence, put through Cathy Duncan.
The midfielder cleverly drew the advancing goalkeeper, shifted her balance, before finishing clinically turning the ball back across the 6 yard box and into the corner of the net to make it 3-0.
Bangor were worthy of their lead and although there were some forays into the Seasiders half the defence weren’t really troubled with Dockery and Matthews combining well.
A glimmer of hope, was, however presented to the visitors when, with 10 minutes left of the clock, the referee decided, what looked a perfectly timed tackle by Dockery to be illegal and pointed to the spot - which the visitors duly converted to make it 3-1 at the final whistle.
On the whole, a very satisfying result for the Seasiders as their now progress into the second round of this competition. The draw for the next round will take place on Monday, 12th May at the IFA - with the ties to be played on Monday, 26th May.
It is back to basics with an what is now considered an important league clash this Tuesday (13th) against Crumlin Ladies, again at home - the Valentines being the likely venue for this one.
Lots of positives on the night - Tina Sharpe coming through this one after a year out through a cruel knee injury sustained in her league debut - incidently in the first round of this same competition, almost exactly 12 months ago - as Bangor when out to Armagh Ladies.
The starting defence looked bright and just settled into their rhythm without the usual nerves - and this set the tone for the evening - while in midfield the game was congested and needed the composure of Duncan and pace of Scott and McNamara to open the game up.
The club continue light training this Sunday at the Valentines Playing Field (Cineplex end) from 2.15 - 4.00 pm, where all new players (over 15) will be very welcome. Training takes place outdoors, so all that is required is boots, shinguards and a hopefully a cool drink; registration for the 2008 season only costs £10 and training gets underway at 2.30 pm sharp.
Bangor's young defence held firm in the first half
Last Edited on 11-May-2008 3:12 AM
