CALENDAR 2008 - June 3, 2008

07:30 PM League Fixture Wellington Ladies, Away <img src="http://www.viperslfc.cityslide.com/i//badger.jpg"> 

Point won rather than two lost
Bangor Ladies quickly responded to last week loss to Knockbreda with another great performance which merited a valuable away point at Wellington last Tuesday (3rd) evening, as the side rallied to snatch a late equaliser to share the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
It was an remarkably result for the under strength travelling Seasiders - one which at the start of the evening didn’t look at all likely - the team starting with only nine players - two of which picked up injuries.
The fixture against Wellington originally a home game, had to be switched on Monday afternoon, due to the unavailability of pitches in the North Down area - supposedly the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, the ladies have yet to be 'allowed' to play a single game at Clandeboye Park - something which the club will be addressing in the next few days.
With Wellington unable to accommodate a change of night for the game, it was agreed by the two clubs to reverse their two scheduled league encounters - Bangor travelling to play at Larne on Tuesday; then in August, Wellington would be the visitors to Bangor - this would keep both clubs fixture schedules up to date - an important aspect following last season late pile up! The late switch and resulting confusion, produced another poor turnout away from home, something which has plagued the Seasiders since registering such a young side.
With five regulars carrying injuries - the team left Bangor short of subs, and having travelled directly to Inver Park, subsequently arrived late at the Brookvale pitches, resulting in the team starting the match with a 4-3-1 line up! Manager Craig relying on the industry of wingers Carolyn Scott and Christina McNamara and the fitness of strike partners Dee Savage and Tina Sharpe to try and frustrate the home side.
At the back Peggy Matthews, Jeni Boyd, Valerie McKibbin and Suzanne Rea put in to repel the opposition.
The Seasiders, despite the early numerical disadvantage started well.
The tactic of taking the game to the home side seemed to unsettle the Wellington side - who perhaps didn’t expect the resilience of the visitors.
Wellington in contrast settled for holding a high line, Bangor quick to exploit the space in behind the back four, were able to push the Wellington side deep into their own half and keep them there.
With Boyd picking up a thigh strain in the first 10, the team were almost reduced to eight but thankfully, the 2007 Young Player of the Year refused the offer to be withdrawn and gamely battled on to make a massive contribution throughout the evening.
Bangor continued in the ascendency, with Christina McNamara running the show both on the right side of midfield and more significantly when coming in from the right - her development over the last two seasons has been rapid and her workrate colossal.
Probably the best chance of the first half, a clever through ball from Savage released Tina Sharpe who burst clear - twelve yards out and preparing to pull the trigger, the teenager took one touch too many and the chance went astray.
Bangor held on, drawing their breath at the half way stage with the two teams still locked and the game remarkably goalless.
With the team patched up and sent out with the instruction - not to panic, keep working hard and so far so good - with a bit of luck they could still get something out of this one.
More bad news was another injury to right back Suzanne Rea another struggling, but gamely hanging on.
With 10 minutes gone the game suddenly swung, as it had threatened to all night in favour of the Seasiders.
Savage pounced on the Wellington defence who tried to play it out from a goalkick, the striker robbed the startled defender and cleverly squared to the supporting Sharpe, the young Bangor forward slammed home from 7 yards to give the visitors the lead and notch up her third strike this season.
This goal changed the complexion of the tie, Bangor prepared to sit back and try and hold on to the lead - and for 15 minutes the visitors looked very comfortable with this tactic.
A defensive blunder by goalkeeper Brittain, against the run of play, gifted the home side an equaliser, with a classic basic goalkeeping error allowing a ball hit low and directly at her, the goalkeeper took her eye off the ball and it slipped through to the feet of a surprised Wellington player who gratefully obliged.
Another mix up a short time late, saw Wellington reverse the 1 goal advantage in their favour - this time a ball which in truth, should have been dealt with comfortably on the left was fired low across the goal and tucked away at the near post.
The quick double put Bangor on the back foot and it was important for the side not to collapse and try and re establish the foot hold they had held throughout the majority of the game and to they credit the side responded really well - lifting it and going at the home side again.
Scott and McNamara was always causing problems on the flanks and when McNamara drifted infield - her pace and tenacity proving too much for the Wellington defence who seemed to panic when the Seasider drove at them - and they just couldn’t cope.
Some good play on the right saw the ball fall to first Sharpe who beat the goalkeeper and played it across the face of the goal - where Savage despite pressure from two defenders under a heavy challenge, managed to slide the ball into the empty goal for the equaliser.
Bangor almost snatched the lead again Savage breaking through - Scott sliding a ball down the left hand side and the Bangor forwards pace carried her clear - this time driving straight at the advancing goalkeeper who thankfully stifled the effort.
With 12 minutes to go the Seasiders lost the clubs leading goalscorer, the striker having to be withdrawn having being felled with a fully loaded clearance, which struck her right on the side of the head - clearly distressed the Seasider sat out to clear her head, but bravely returned for the final minutes.
A final scare for the visitors, a free kick for Wellington on the edge of the box and another fierce drive deflected off McKibbin, and although wrong footing Brittain in goals thankful skimmed the wrong side of the upright and the game close with the sides level at 2-2.
A tough challenge to go into this one without a full compliment, with both Jeni Boyd (after 10 minutes) and Suzanne Rea (after 35 minutes) carrying individual injuries - it was a fantastic effort by everyone involved to carry on and battle through what looked a lost cause.
This was a great performance by the whole team and one which in different circumstances they would have been able to secure both points, but coming away from Wellington on Tuesday evenings with the point, which at the start of the evening didn’t seem possible, was a great night’s work and testimony to the players involved.
The club now prepare for another massive game - on Monday, again away at Cherryvale, on the Ravenhill Road, Belfast, with a scheduled 7.30 p.m. k.o. where the club will hope to continue an encouraging run and propel the club into the top half of the table.
Manager Craig was less than impressed with the turnout: "Once again, away from home, we have suffered late cry-off and no shows which is very disappointing for the members of the club who have showed the commitment required.
The attitude of the guys who turned up on Tuesday was exceptional - I had two players, who despite struggling - refused to come off the pitch and did a tremendous job for the club in securing the point.
I intend to look at both the problem with the lack of support from Bangor Football Club and the difficulty we are experiencing when play away from home. Last week at Bloomfield, I had four sub - this week the team had none. It’s not good enough - so there will be changes made - and made quick.
We'll make some decision as regards Bangor Football Club after the game on Monday evening which is an important one for us - a good result here will put us in the right half of the table - and I don’t intend to let the team slip out of that half!