Review of the Year 2006

After a football drought of five years, the borough of North Down were represented in the Northern Ireland’s Womens F.A - when Bangor Ladies kicked off their 2006 season at Knockbreda Ladies in an Intermediate B Divisional Match. North Down Star were the last club to feature in the League when they competed in the First Division back in 2001.
With the Ards Peninsula saturated with ladies clubs, Bangor's status got stamped firmly back on the map of ladies football when North Down Ladies took to the field in Knockbreda on Wednesday evening - in their first ever senior competitive fixture - a tough opener, up the Upper Ballygowan Road, away to a what proved to be a very lively Knockbreda outfit - under the management of Ernie Larkin - who had a strong Championship winning Linfield Ladies connection last season - and this was evident in his starting line-up, with plenty of experience and young talent lining up for the locals.
The ladies section travelled arguably understrength - with work, injuries commitments leading to the withdrawal of some regulars, but the Bangor based side left the Valentines looking forward to the start of what promises to be a big and exciting year for the development of ladies football in the Borough.
Squad: Peggy Matthews, Paula Dougherty, Christine Morrison, Alanna Kerr, Julie Graham; Christina McNamara, Lisa Mahood, Cathy Duncan, Carolyn Scott; Tanya Black and Kim Dockery. Subs: Joanna Williamson and Susan Cull.
In was evident from the start it was going to be a lively and pressure-cooker match - tackles flying in - lots of pace - and a lot of action in the midfield dust - Mahood and Duncan were in for a tough evening - and both rose to the occasion with some strong tackles - forward passing and very decisive play and neat football - erly on Mahood slipped a clever ball through, Dockery playing up front with Tanya Black managed one touch then rattled in the opener after 11 minutes. The response was immediate and although the young Knockbreda side were busy, Duncan and Mahood were starting to win the battle in midfield - and the wide players McNamara and Scott, getting behind the Knockbreda defence, who were diving in. allowing the visitors to get beyond them - it was Dockery again who hit a strong drive and the ball ricocheted between defender and goalkeeper - before McNamara following up - got the final touch and bravely slammed it home to double the visitors dvantage after 18 minutes. At this point, only the most partisan of travelling support could believe that this game was over - far from it - as both teams attacking with pace and the football at times superb - the chances were falling at both ends - again Dockery put through by Lisa Mahood had another chance to increase the deficit - but blasted wide from close in.
The agony continued as Knockbreda who were attacking in numbers and storming through the back line, a good ball lashed across the 18 yards box, saw Matthews manage to parry but the home strikers followed it up with a neat finish to take to 2-1.
It was classic end to end stuff at this point and a great game - Knockbreda’s front pairing had all the pace and were threatening everytime they got the ball to feet - Graham, Kerr, Morrison and Dougherty refusing to give anything up and were hanging on resolutely - half time approaching - but as North Down knocked on the door, neat play saw Duncan burst through at one end of the pitch, the ball was knocked away up the other end for the chase - again Matthews had no chance 2-2 half time.
A blow for the visitors at half time was the withdrawal of the influential Dougherty at right back, and with Kerr and Duncan struggling having taken nasty knocks it was backs to the wall time although the structions were - to keep the tempo up as North Down were certainly still in the game and with both teams cancelling each other out and it was very nicely poised for the second half.
With the enforced shuffle of Graham to right back, Joanna Williamson came on the left and with only one substitute on the bench - Kerr clearly struggling it was an all - or nothing gamble. With Knockbreda unchanged and keeping up the tempo - Bangor responded - Duncan hit a superb ball out right for McNamara who lashed it across for the strong running Mahood who just failed to get a good connection and the goalkeeper gathered, at the back though Morrison was next to go down.
With 20 minutes to go - the game still poised at 2-2 - a body blow - Duncan who despite suffering with a dead leg, finally had to come off - and with Kerr still soldiering on - the momentum seemed to swing to the home side - and sensing North Down were on the ropes - Knockbreda went for the kill.
But, a corner on the left, cleverly swung in right under the crossbar put paid to that thought, Matthews, who was revelling in the challenge, under pressure would only parry and from the resulting melee Knockbreda stabbed home to snatch the lead.
Bangor bravely tried to lift it for a last effort and Dockery almost managed it - which a volley from 20 yards as the game went into the final 5 minutes. With the visitors hopes fading with the light Knockbreda again from an inswinging corner added a fourth and killer blow to take 3 points.
Overall a very entertaining game of football, with Knockbreda certainly giving a very good account of themselves and it would be unfair to say that on the night - they did not deserved to come away with the spoils - the Seasiders though were not disappointed with their input which was creditable in difficult circumstances - and will come through this one a far better side than they had started the game - taking away a lot from the pace and tempo of the fixture.
Best on the night was Peggy Matthews who showed great courage and pulled off two outstanding stops late in the match - one in particular brought applause from both camps. Good performances from Kerr, carrying that injury, Graham and Williamson in defence, and McNamara on the right.
Although not a wining start to what will be an enthralling season for the Bangor club, it was a very encouraging one with a lot of positives for the club to take away as they prepare for their next game - a massive home game against PSNI on Tuesday evening (2nd), at Clandeboye Park, Bangor.
BANGOR LADIES 4, PSNI 1

BANGOR LADIES 0, WELLINGTON REC. 3
Wellington put the boot in to Seasiders

With the team in good spirits having notched up this win, it was all to turn sour as the side were mugged when they faced a very grateful Wellington Ladies at Clandeboye Park, as the visitors, travelling down from Larne, survived a series of first half escapes and snatch all three points late on.
The visit of Wellington Rec., under the management of Catriona Hamill, a stalwart in the game and the current secretary of the NIWFA at the seaside venue and in a similar position as hosts Bangor - both clubs having only registered one home win in May, although Wellington boosted by the inclusion of a number of a very good but now defunct Rathcoole side which won a league and cup double last season.
Bangor: Angi Young; Paula Dougherty, Kim Dockery, Joanne Williamson; Susan Cull; Christina McNamara, Lisa Mahood, Carolyn Scott; Deirdre Savage, Julie Graham. Sub Tanya Black.
With injuries and exams hitting the squad again this week - it was once again a bare-bones of a side which welcomed Wellington to Clandeboye Park, a choice of venue which again cements the off pitch relationship currently being enjoyed by the ladies section, who were looking at this game as an opportunity to bounce back, although with so many players out, it was always going to be an uphill struggle, it was important however to get off to a good start - which had seen North Down get away to a flyer in their last fixture - Lisa Mahood opening the scoring in the first 3 minutes of that one.
A shift away from the conventional 4-4-2 system into a more attack minded 3-4-3 would try and get some support to the isolated Savage up front - and the first use of wing backs for the Bangor club.
In midfield Cull was positioned to protect the back three and wingers Scott and McNamara - both with explosive pace had instructions to play as wingbacks and also both have the pace to get forward with speed.
Trish Webb and Lisa Mahood were to work the middle of the park and one or the other had the licence to get forward and support Savage and Graham up front - while the other played a holding role.
With three of the clubs recognised strikers out - Julie Graham for the second week in a row - had been thrown in the deep end.

From an early corner out on the right, Susan Cull sitting in the pocket, returned a clearance with a speculative high lobbed effort though the goalkeeper came early, the high bounce of the ball deceiving her and Cull effort left her stranded but the ball ended up on the roof of the net.
In another early effort, Cull again picking up from just outside the 18-yard box unleashed a measured drive which again looked to be going in, but rattled the crossbar. At this point, it seemed just a matter of time before the home side broke the deadlock and took the lead, as Mahood and Scott on the right were getting good supply up top - Christina McNamara had a great chance after good work by these two created the opener.
On one of the few occasions that Wellington did break out - Bangor had the pace to stifle them, Angi Young too was very quickly off her line and the home side hadn’t really managed to register a worthy strike by half time.

Although Dockery was nursing an injury before the break they were no changes at the interval - the set up had looked effective and the breakthrough imminent.
Within a few minutes of the restart, the picture changed dramatically, Dockery pulled up clearly not running the injury off, and from a corner on the left Wellington had nicked the opener, against the run of play With Dockery clearly suffering and although bravely prepared to battle on - things were left in the belief that with the midfield, which had dominated in the first half still intact - the contest was far from over - and there was still a lot of football in the home side.
With the game nicely poised at 1-0 with North Down still very much in the thick of the game, the best chance of a night dropped to Julie Graham, who was left with a simple tap in after Savage had broke through and drawn a challenge from the goalkeeper - the ball breaking to the feet of the following up Bangor striker - but whether she hurried the effort or didn’t realise the time she had - she pushed the ball out for a goalkick, and Wellington had survived.
With 15 on the clock Dockery who was clearly in trouble had to be withdrawn and with the last throw of the dice the side switched to a 4-4-2 with Tanya Black left to join Savage at the vanguard.
The young Bangor teenager joined Savage up front, but the reshuffle at the back let in Wellington for a second and despite this setback the game was still very much open.
A final blow was a late strike and a scoreline which flattered the visitors and delivered a body blow to the home side in a game which had started so very promisingly - and had end so disappointingly - with the club shut-out for the first time this season.

LARNE LADIES 3, BANGOR LADIES 0
Bangor Ladies all at sea

Negotiations with Bangor Football Club got underway in June with North Down ladies poised to change their identity to Bangor Ladies F.C. - the official ladies section of the Irish League side, playing their home games at the Clandeboye Park venue.
Trevor Best, chairman of Bangor F.C.and Manager George Dunlop have had very positive talks with the club in relation to developing a permanent link between the two clubs.
Clandeboye Park has already been used as the ladies venue for league games and this is set to continue later in the season - the pitch currently closed for important ground repair work - although regularly meetings are continuing.
The Irish League side have already shown their commitment to the ladies section with a new kit and a number of others developments already in the pipeline - including the formation of a junior section - which will be supervised and organised through a late summer scheme in August at Clandeboye Park - more details will follow.
Although, Larne Ladies are a good side - North Down Ladies were at times a match for them and particularly in the first half - it was felt that the game was there for the taking - the home side not starting particularly well.
Bangor: Angi Young, Jacki Price, Trish Webb, Kim Dockery, Joanna Williamson; Christina McNamara, Lisa Mahood, Cathy Duncan, Carolyn Scott, Petra Armstrong, Deirdre Savage. Subs Alanna Sloan, Susan Cull, Julie Graham.
Some crunching tackles early on though - didn’t deter the front line of Savage and Armstrong - but set the pattern of the match, as Larne sat back and relied on their sweeper to tidy up at the back - the mistake the visitors made was trying to play down the middle - and not taking advantage of the width of the local Amiville Playing Field pitches.
With no real substance to the game early on - only a couple of half chances in the early exchanges - Larne hadn’t really got behind the visitors and neither keeper had been really tested.
Bangor Ladies although gave a good account of themselves and matched up against the home side as the half progressed - Williamson in particular started well.
The only talking point of a fairly uneventful half was the inexplicable booking of Angi Young, who was falsely adjudged to have handled the ball - although no free kick was given at the time! Half time 0-0.

The team talk was all about continuing with the work ethic and about enjoying the experience of taking on a good side on their own patch, the negativity which had been creeping into the side a few weeks ago, had been firmly stamped out and the team went out in the second half to prove just that.
With 55 minutes of the game played, a quick shuffle saw the introduction for the first time this season of Bangor youngster Alanna Sloan - who has been plagued with injury since the turn of the year - and coming on in this one, back from a broken shoulder - shows the commitment and courage of this teenager.
The home side were very lively and relied on the tactic of getting behind the ball when defending and attacking in numbers, and this paid off as from a nothing ball slipped through an alert striker pounced and slipped the ball into the net - With this decisive strike - it has been the nature of the side in the past to feel that once again, the game was starting to slip away - but to their credit - kept going at the Larne back four.
With just 12 minutes on the clock - and still the game poised - Larne struck again - snatching a second goal which was probably the most disappointing of the season to concede - with despite a few half chances to clear - the defence were hesitant and paid the price - the ball ending up in the back of the net.
The third and final goal was a give away - having conceded the game was over and less than 2 minutes of the clock - Jill Small burst through unchallenged and slotted the ball home - to wrap up the points and a home win.
A mixed bag of performances - Savage up front continues to impress, playing most of the season without a regular strike partner - she has maintained a high level of performance and determination.

BANGOR LADIES 1, ARDS RAIDERS 1
Small pitch - but huge result for locals

It was probably the most eagerly awaited fixture of the year so far as Bangor took on their nearest geographical rivals in the shape of visitors Ards Raiders at home on Tuesday evening (6th) in what was billed as the first ever ‘derby’ game between the two rival clubs.
This match signalled the first of a series of meetings between the neighbouring sides, and based on the evidence of this match, these games promise to be fierce, fuelled by the intense rivalry between the two towns, giving the fixture a real cup final flavour.
The Newtownards side arrived at the Bloomfield Road Playing Fields with a good and talented team, bolstered by some seasoned and experienced footballers - and this blend has given them a reasonable start to the league and, a top three position in the league table.
Bangor: Peggy Matthews, Jacki Price, Kim Dockery, Cathy Duncan, Julie Graham; Christina McNamara, Lisa Mahood, Susan Cull, Carolyn Scott, Trish Webb, Deirdre Savage. Subs: Joanne Williamson, Angi Young.
The fixture got underway on time, although was clouded in some late controversy - the referee stating that the pitch had been marked out incorrectly, although the match was to go ahead, despite this oversite by the Council.
Despite the visitors starting the better, the tables were quickly turned when from a throw in on the right, which was taken quickly, the ball was sent down the line to an alert Lisa Mahood, who with her back to goal some 20 yards out, turned and struck a long range effort which drifted over a stranded goalkeeper to give the Bangor outfit the early advantage.
The Seasiders almost doubled that lead some 10 minutes later, when from a corner on the right, the ball was met clean on the volley by Kim Dockery, charging in unmarked, but blasted over with the goal at her mercy.
With both sides creating chances in an open game, the match swung back in favour of the visitors and they were back on level terms after 20 minutes, with a good finish levelling the contest - then the Ards outfit almost went ahead, again from a corner, this time Mathews pushing the ball against the bar, though it fell kindly for her to gather in.
The Bangor nearly snatched the lead back when Kim Dockery went close again, this time with a free kick from 20 yards which sailed over - it was enthralling stuff as both sides again had half chances.
Half time 1-1.
With the restart it was the Bangor side who started strongly, Lisa Mahood linked up with Dockery almost immediately from the kick off and released a quick thinking Savage with a neat exchange, she burst clean through going one on one with the Ards goalkeeper - her low dragged shot edging agonisingly wide of the left hand upright and away to safety.
The game was end to end - with both keepers exploiting the ability to kick the ball deep into each others halves - the chances were falling.
With 15 minutes of the second half gone Kim Dockery played the ball of the game - splitting the visiting defence with a deep inch perfect pass to a lively Christina McNamara and her cross just failed to get the necessary connection.
Again a half chance fell to Savage and she broke one tackle to get behind the Ards defence and her low drive was well saved, the rebound fell wide out right to McNamara who instinctively took the effort first time, the ball drifting wide of the empty net.
It was frantic stuff and proving a good game - both sides sensing the rivalry and both wanting to win - the short pitch causing the game to be very condensed and from box to box.
The Ards side again had their best chance of the night and looked to have snatched the lead when from a break down the right hand side, the ball was cut across the middle of the park where it found a Ards boot and with Mathews beaten the near post, the ball rattled the crossbar and luckily fell for Duncan to clear.
The second penalty shout of the evening soon followed and with the same result - the referee choosing to ignore the claims, as Savage got beyond the defence again, only to be hauled back and dragged to the ground.
With just minutes to go, Lisa Mahood then had a effort from a free kick, which beat the wall but sailed past the right upright.

In the final seconds of the game, again Savage was floored, this time by a lunge by the visiting goalkeeper which took her feet, knocking her off balance, snatching the chance away, but to her credit she remained on her feet, but once again the referee let the challenge go unpunished and the game finished 1-1.
Although both teams could be satified with the point - it was a good game played at a very high tempo - while both sides will argue they were the better team and both probably had late chances to snatch the points but in the end they cancelled each other out and the game finished with the points shared.
Despite the intensity of the fixture off the field - the football on the park itself, reflected a genuine effort between two teams wanting to play attractive, attacking football - and while this game ended in stalemate, it was certainly a tremendous advert for the local game - a game which was to signal the start of the turn round of the season - and the beginning of an impressive unbeaten run.

BANGOR LADIES 2, BELFAST BANKS 1
Bangor nearly 'blow it' at home in stormer

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, took on visitors’ Belfast Banks on Tuesday (20th July) night and despite a very frustrating evenings’ football, the Bangor side importantly lodged another vital three points with a uncomfortable 2-1 home win. This Intermediate B league game, which was in doubt right up to 6.40 p.m., because of the consistently heavy downpours and stormy conditions which have been battering the North Down coastline for most of last week, was given the go-ahead just 25 minutes before the kick off. With Clandeboye Park under repair, the match took place at the Valentines, and the local playing fields were in excellent condition, and although the rain, for the best part of the evening was reduced to a few light swirling showers, the storms increased and conditions deteriorated rapidly throughout the whole game making it times, a very frustrating night for both sides. With gusts blowing violently across the ground, it made this game a lottery of sorts - with the ball’s flight being almost impossible to predict and the early play was scrappy and condensed at times on the left side of the pitch, with a seemingly endless sequence of throw-ins, stoppages and delays.
Bangor: Peggy Matthews; Jackie Price, Trish Webb, Kim Dockery, Joanne Williamson; Susan Cull; Christina McNamara (C), Lisa Mahood, Carolyn Scott; Deirdre Savage, Cathy Duncan. Sub: Alanna Kerr.
The North Down side faced the elements in the first half and it was felt that if the side could stay focused and match the visitors up until half time - the advantage of having the wind at their backs for the second forty, would prove very decisive - in truth, the weather was so severe that neither team really had any advantage - as any chance of playing attractive football was met with the velocity of the elements, which reduced both the standard of the play and the game as any sort of spectacle.
Belfast Banks though are an experienced side, who have featured in the NIWFA for several seasons - and although they were under the cosh from the outset, they were happy to pack their defence and just lash the ball away, with the wind in their favour which gave their forward line a chance to break.
This tactic although effective in clearing the danger, often saw the ball put out of play and this was frustrating the home side who were looking to try to get the ball down and play with some fluency.
The first real chance fell to Cathy Duncan, playing up front alongside Deirdre Savage, to try and give the team some offensive edge, and this was effective as she drove a rasping drive from just outside the 18 yard box which tested the visiting keeper.
Some determined work from Mahood then put through Savage after about 15 minutes and again the elements made the take difficult, but the striker managed at least a strike on goal.
Matthews, in contrast, in the Bangor goal had no real pressure to deal with apart from a series of long balls which raced through to be either be cleared or forced back into the driving wind.
With the game on 20 minutes, the midfield of Mahood and Cull were scrapping and trying to get the ball to feet, a pass out to McNamara on the right, saw her skip one tackle and she managed to whip the ball across, where a defender pushed the ball away into the path of Duncan to strike, this time the ball beat the keeper and rippled the net for Bangor to take the lead.
With the game for the best part being played in one half, the Bangor side continued to press - at one stage a Duncan shot which beat the goalkeeper, held up in the strong wind and stopped short of crossing the line, with the goalkeeper unbelievably able to retrieve.. The chances continued with Savage, who might have done better - put through by Mahood - her effort shading the wrong side of the post, then Carolyn Scott had a gilt edged opportunity and should have scored, coming in from the right side and having only to stab the ball over the line - but this one also got away. The game though was being constantly disrupted as both sides battled against the elements, challenging the concentration of both teams, although there were spells of some reasonable football. One move from Mahood to McNamara brought another strike - but still no further reward. Half time 1-0. It was felt that with the change round and the quality in the side, that this game was there for the taking and the club just had to show up in the second half to increase their lead - but Bangor soon realised that it was no advantage playing into the wind - as, the ball was always running away from the attacking team. And so it proved - Belfast Banks did very well early on, but with the North Down side in control - it was just a matter of putting one of the many chances being created away - albeit the team was ‘chasing’ the game. Duncan again went close from outside the box, and Savage also had a half chance to no avail - this time the goalkeeper making a good stop. Kim Dockery then almost increased the Bangor side’s advantage from a free kick on the left, a ball which looked to be heading in - drifted just wide. With North Down defence pushing into the visitors half, as the frustration continued, the play got condensed and from a break on the left hand side, Williamson’s clearance high up the park ricocheted off the Banks player and fell kindly for her to get behind the defence and her shot/cross held up deceiving Peggy Matthews in goal and from having the game at their mercy - North Down found themselves level and with only 15 minutes to go. This brought a little too much urgency and a spell where the attack was a little hurried and the final pass was missing, exchanged for at times, speculative shots at goal and ultimately more disruption. Scott then had another great opportunity, through on the left and one on one with the goalkeeper - but hurried the effort and blasted wide. Going into the last ten - North Down had done everything but score - the Banks goalkeeper making two good saves from Duncan and Mahood, but it looked like another draw, and in a game which should have been done and dusted by half time. The winner, when it eventually came was at least a good take - Savage finally getting through after some determined work and although it was only a half chance the connection was good, low and enough to flash past the goalkeeper and restore the home side’s lead and thankfully late enough in the game to wrap up the three points. So, although a scrappy and very frustrating game to play in - the main thing is that Bangor have at least recorded the win and have banked the three points - which at this stage of the season, gives the side an important lift up the table - taking four points out of the last six available is very encouraging - the ladies only losing once so far at Clandeboye Park, going down to Wellington Recreational in early May. The shots ratio in this one was also encouraging, despite the conditions, the side recorded at least 20 shots on goal, although only 9 of these were on target. With the divisional campaign having now reached half way - North Down Ladies next league game is again against Belfast Banks - and hopefully this will be played in more seasonal conditions. The team will go into this one, unbeaten since May and knowing that they have another opportunity to climb further up the table and get the run-in off to a good start.

BELFAST BANKS 1, BANGOR LADIES 7
Bangor cash in on another 3 points at Ravenhill

The ladies continued their unbeaten run in the Division with their biggest win of the season, an impressive 7-1 away victory at Cherryvale Playing Fields on the Ravenhill Road in Belfast, over Belfast Banks.
Conditions at the Ravenhill Road venue, in contrast to that earlier meeting, were ideal and the side kicked off in warm sunshine, the visitors attacking the airport end.
The Bangor side were enjoying a good spell in recent weeks, having taken 7 out of 9 points available, in their last three fixtures - and were fielding a very offensive minded attacking team - Lisa Mahood restored to her more favoured forward position up front alongside regular striker Deirdre Savage, bringing Kim Dockery in to join Cathy Duncan in midfield, the pace of McNamara and Scott posing the threat on the flanks.
Bangor: Peggy Mathews; Paula Dougherty, Trish Webb, Alanna Kerr, Julie Graham; Christina McNamara, Cathy Duncan (C), Kim Dockery, Carolyn Scott; Lisa Mahood, Dierdre Savage. Sub: Susan Cull.
Bangor Ladies in the blue and yellow kit, have developed a trend of starting slow, took this game by the scruff of the neck and within a few minutes had established a supremacy with some attractive and flowing football, Deirdre Savage making the first breakthrough after a neat exchange, blasting wide, but the writing was on the wall.
Within the first ten minutes it was two nil - Mahood opening the scoring after some strong running on the right from McNamara put her in; then the second - one of the goals of the night, the goalkeeper racing out wide on the right, only scuffed a clearance out to a waiting Lisa Mahood, who with her back to goal, turned the ball on to her right side with her first touch and lashed a high drive goalbound with her second and doubled the lead - and their was a touch or similarity between it and the one scored against Ards Raiders at the start of June.

It was all one way traffic at this stage, as the visitors were playing with some of the confidence which has been a feature of their previous run of results - the goal keeper spilling a well struck free from Dockery to the waiting feet of Deirdre Savage who tucked it away to make it three.
With the dominance in midfield of Duncan and Dockery - the fourth soon followed and this time McNamara on hand on the right side to slam the ball home after good work again by Mahood, linking with Savage up front.
Two basic errors led to the Banks only offensive moment in the first half, first, a fairly harmless ball heading tamely for the goalline was pounced upon by a defender and instead of knocking it out for a throw in - and from the resulting kick the ball fell between two static Bangor players who instead of being decisive, stood motionless and a home forward took advantage to stroke the ball in for a slim lifeline for the Banks side.
Half time 4-1.
However, one moment to remember from that game was an absolutely breathtaking strike from a Belfast Banks player, from fully 30 yards out which thundered at a startled Peggy Matthews in goal, only to thunder against the underside of the cross bar ricochet down and bounce about 12 foot into the air and into Matthew’s grasp - in what would have been a quite incredible goal.
Another good start and some clever play from Webb at the back released Scott, Mahood on hand to snatch her third of the night and a well earned match ball with a hat-trick of strikes.
With the visitors pushing forward more and more, and the pace of the game although at a high tempo, was very neat and fluent with some good passing and from a good move down the right Savage breaking through, the referee awarded a back pass from around 15 yards out - cue Kim Dockery - who neatly curved a lovely lofted ball into the top corner and increased the lead again.
With Belfast Banks under the cosh, Duncan finding the gaps with some decisive passing, Deirdre Savage added a seventh and rounded off an emphatic win for the travelling Bangor side, who were fully deserving of the three points on a night, when it all clicked into place and everyone on the park for the Seasiders - made a good impression.
A good all round team performance with the team seeming to peak, having been put on the back foot early in the year - now the side is competing and blending well as a team, the players are aware of their respective responsibilities and starting to work in units of three and four putting together passing movements and creating chances - and the strikers are starting to take them with ten goals in the last three games the tide was tunring.
At the back, only conceding 3 times since the start of June, is an obvious improvement, with Alanna Kerr back from England, Paula Dougherty back from injury - Julie Graham and teenager Joanne Williamson improving all the time, the signs that the club were starting to blend were there and suddenly the possibility of that top four finish seemed to be within their grasp.......with six matches and 18 points still up for grabs - the Bangor side quietly slipped into fifth place in the league with this result.
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BANGOR LADIES 7 KNOCKBREDA 0
Back to back 7s...goals start to flow

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, continue to charge up the Intermediate B Division in the NIWFA, following another important win at home last Tuesday evening, the club recording their biggest ever win to date with a 7-0 victory of visitors Knockbreda Ladies at The Valentines.
With Senior’s Bangor drawing 0-0 at home to Lurgan Celtic at Clandeboye Park, this game was switched to the local playing fields and drew a sizeable crowd in the evening sunshine - and despite the early threat of a heavy downpour the weather was thankfully favourably for the duration of the game.
Knockbreda were the club’s first ever league opposition when the divisional championship got underway in May, and despite the Seasiders cruising to the 2-0 half time lead with goals from Christina McNamara and Kim Dockery, the Ballygowan side responded and turned it around to win 4-2 in a tough and exciting opening encounter for the North Down side.
With Bangor Ladies probably just one or two players short of their strongest eleven - it was an important game - with the prize being an opportunity to leapfrog over the visitors in the league table, Knockbreda starting the evening sitting just above the Seasiders by two points.
Bangor: Peggy Bradley; Paula Dougherty, Alanna Kerr, Kim Dockery, Julie Graham; Carolyn Scott, Cathy Duncan (C), Trish Webb, Petra Armstrong; Dierdre Savage, Susan Cull.Subs: Lisa Mahood, Valerie McKibbon and Christina McNamara.
Playing into the strong wind - Bangor were putting together the best of the football and the midfield of Duncan and Webb were proving too much for the visiting side - Duncan also tested the goalkeeper early on.
With Knockbreda under pressure from the onset, the defence of Dockery, Graham, Kerr and in particular Dougherty making important decisive clearances and launching attacks from deep in their own half - it was all Bangor.
Susan Cull playing just behind Savage, was distributing the ball out to the wings and using the pace of Scott and Armstrong to get behind Knockbreda’s stretched back line.
Just about 25 minutes gone and chances falling for both Cull and Scott, Savage opened the scoring after some good football on the right wing, breaking through one tackle her shot flew across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.
Almost straight from the kick off the advantage was doubled, with Susan Cull sending through a clever ball which saw Petra Armstrong burst clean through and despite the keeper making a fine stop Armstrong was quickly onto the rebound and this time buried the chance 2-0.
It was all Bangor at this point as the visitors shoulders dropped and for a spell it was all one way traffic, inevitably the Seasiders added a third just before the break - again Armstrong breaking down the left side and placed the ball neatly into the left corner.
The change round saw the introduction of McNamara in midfield and Mahood up front and with the advantage of having the wind at their backs in the second half - it was more of the same - any thoughts that Knockbreda would repeat what they had done to Bangor earlier in the season were quickly stifled with Carolyn Scott, after some good work from Trish Webb, finished what was arguably one of the best moves of the night with a fierce low drive making it 4-0 with her second strike of the season.
There was no let up for the visitors with Christina McNamara joining the busy Duncan in the middle of the park and this combination were finding the ball between defence and setting up a number of chances to the strike partnership of Mahood and Savage.
Knockbreda had no response and Savage added a quick double to make it a hat-trick of goals on the night for her and five in her last two games - as the team were starting to find an extra gear in the second half of their games.
Deep into the game and the Seasiders were over-running the Knockbreda defence at this stage - Mahood striking a post and Duncan blasting a thunderous drive against the crossbar as the North Down side dominated.
To add to the misery of the visitors Lisa Mahood put Scott through and she added the seventh goal of the evening again with good work in midfield from McNamara and rounded off an excellent night’s work.
Some solid all round performances - Dougherty inspired at the back, Duncan and McNamara in the middle of the park adventurous and the source of good supply for the pace of Armstrong and Scott on the flanks with Savage and Mahood putting the game away in the second half.

BANGOR LADIES 0, LARNE LADIES 4
Carrick and Larne sink Seasiders at home

Three matches in eight days took an inevitable toll on Bangor Ladies and brought to an end what had been an impressive run of results - after the defeat of Wellington Rec., (21st), the week ended with two back to back defeats at home to the Intermediate B Division’s top two teams - Carrick Rangers and Larne Ladies respectfully.
The two games brought complete contrasting performances - first the Seasiders collapsed in the first game which was against league leaders and favourites for the divisional title - Carrick Rangers (24th) - with some unfortunate unforeseen late withdrawals, the home side started the game without their regular goalkeeper or a full strength team and were understandably three nil down inside 18 minutes.

Despite the early collapse Bangor did settle and held the visitors back for almost an hour, and although beaten the Seasiders never totally gave up and could have maybe nicked a consolation goal late on - but Carrick added a fourth in a game which was over before it began.
One consolation was some of the resolute performances in defence - Trish Webb starring with a good all round display of tenacious defending - both Alanna Kerr and Paula Dougherty also making importance contributions.
Then the visit of cup finalists Larne Ladies the following Tuesday, saw a complete contrast in terms of the teams overall performance, attitude and approach to the game with Larne coming down to Bangor with a full squad and Larne manager William Noble, expecting for a good, hard game - and that’s exactly what he got.
Though it was the same personnel that went out to face the long time league leaders - it was a completely different Seasiders that went into this, their penultimate league game - playing with grit, character and the resolve which had been the backbone for the Bangor sides climb up the league table.

Bangor Ladies started this game at the right pace - and although rode their luck early on - Larne’s main threat came from a succession of corners, which were well worked, but Bradley in nets made some fine stops and the Seasiders settled into the game.
The visitors though are a very capable, physical side and the defence in particular had to stand up and be counted, tackles from Price and Kerr stamped some authority on the game, which was proving a good entertaining football fixture.
The sides were still level at the interval, down to the work ethic of the home team - who were digging in, looking to frustrate and get at the visitors, relying on the chance of a quick counter attack - Duncan partnering Savage up front.
These two combined to create arguably Bangor’s best chance of the night, with Duncan getting a flick on which fell to striker Savage, the club’s top goal scorer failed to put the chance away and Larne escaped what could have been a pivotal moment - still 0-0.
With 20 minutes of the second half gone, the side still locked in what was turning out to be an enthralling game - the enforced substitution saw Julie Graham introduced and the withdrawal of the influential injured Duncan up front.
While this move did not weaken the resolve of the team - it was seemingly the turning point as within a 7 minutes Larne’s Jill Small had snatched the opening goal.
With the light fading quickly - so did the chance of any revival as Larne added another, again Small pulling the strings for the visitors.
The game finished 4-0 - and although this might have given the impression it was an easy win for the Cup finalists - in truth, it was a very good game, the scoreline flattered the visitors, undermining the effort and contribution the Bangor side had put into the game.
It was certainly an all round improvement in attitude and application - with Jackie Price having one of her best games of the season at the back; along with Alanna Kerr and Trish Webb who both were involved in a tough game.
The Seasider’s though had to pick themselves up after this double set back and turn their attention to their final competitive fixture of the 2007 season, a “big” local derby against arch rivals Ards Raiders in Newtownards.

ARDS RAIDERS 3, BANGOR LADIES 7
Seasiders destroy rival Raiders in style

So, to the final game of the season and what an amazing match it proved to be Bangor Ladies in an almost a complete reverse of the events of the first 10 minutes which saw them 3-0 down, steamrolled over Ards Raiders, at Londonderry Park, with a magnificent 7 unanswered goals in this ‘derby’ thriller.
It was just one of the those remarkable moments in football - when words could not justifiably describe the catalogue of events and the complete turn around of a football match - Bangor 3-0 down after 9 minutes, unleashed an attacking avalanche which simply buried their bewildered and stunned Newtownards opponents in the Seasiders’ final league fixture of the season.
Bangor Manager Andy Craig described it “as the best performance of the season by my team - it had everything - drama, goals galore and of course a pinch of controversy - but to have witnessed the comeback by my team - showing character, grit, fighting spirit and a blatant refusal to lose this game - I know it what it meant to the players, to the town, and more importantly to the heart of this club - it’s often said in football, the way a team performs, is often a reflection of its manager - so I am very, very proud of the discipline of the team and result.
” With any two neighbouring clubs, the rivalry may be intense, but in many respects is considered healthy, however it does not afford the participants to be complacent or blunt the competitive edge of any game, in any sport where neighbours clash - its all about pride, playing for the shirt and fighting for the bragging rights for the respective teams.
This local ‘derby’ match got underway, just after seven o’clock, with the bright September sun setting slowly behind the Scrabo Hill, Bangor Ladies in traditional blue and yellow, attacking the town end of the local Portaferry Road playing fields in Newtownards.
Although there was some home support, it was nothing to the contingent which had travelled down to Bangor in June, when these two last met, that time the Raiders took an early lead, only for the Seasiders to rally with an equaliser - both teams feeling at the time - there was definitely some unfinished business to take care of, the day had dawned when that business would be addressed and concluded..once and for all!!!
Bangor: Peggy Bradley; Paula Dougherty, Trish Web, Kim Dockery, Jackie Price; Lisa Mahood, Christina McNamara, Cathy Duncan (Capt.), Carolyn Scott; Susan Cull, Deirdre Savage. Subs: Joanne Williamson, Tanya Black.
In a bizarre opening nine minutes - the home side totally blitzed the visiting Seasiders - the first Newtownards attack, producing a well placed lob which sailed over Bradley’s head and into the corner - followed just 4 minutes later - Bangor seemingly unable to get a kick of the ball against a lively sharp opposition, in a carbon copy of the first strike, once again Bradley was cleverly lobbed to make it 2-0.
Almost straight from the kick off the Newtownards side had struck again - this time bursting through the middle and a good finish saw the ball again nestling in the corner of the net.
The host contingent were obviously quite rightly elated, their Bangor opponents stunned and seemingly on the back foot, a dream 3-0 start and with a hour of the contest still left.
Bangor’s Paula Dougherty made the first of the night’s crunching tackles - the momentum swung and within minutes, the best goal of the night followed - Dougherty started the move off with a quick exchange with Mahood and a clever ball through saw McNamara break down the right, skip past the left back and lash a fierce ball across the box, where Cathy Duncan coming in unmarked at the back post met it sweetly, sending a piercing header into the roof of the net - 3-1.
Although this didn’t seem to unsettle the Ards side - it lifted the visitors game, Bangor continued to push their Newtownards opponents deeper and deeper - Deirdre Savage was next to get on the scoresheet - again from good work down the right hand side.
The Seasiders’ top goalscorer drifting off her marker as a ball flashed across the eighteen yard box, Savage lashed an unstoppable low drive into the left hand corner - 3-2 and just maybe.....by contrast the home side for the first time in the match were rattled and it was starting to show.
At this point Dockery, Webb, Price and Dougherty had the measure of the Raiders attack and had them pushed up to half way, Bangor encamped in the Ards half, were unstoppable - the visitors snatched the sixth goal of the first half to make it unbelievably 3-3, Susan Cull this time, partnering Savage up front, cushioned a superbly weighted pass out of defence from Dockery, with her second touch made sure with a clinical half volley - all square - but this one was far from over - it was really just about to kick into another gear.
Bangor by now were playing purely on adrenaline - the Newtownards side were now the side reeling and as if the game had been turned on its head - yet another goal - again Savage stabbing home her second of the evening, to give the visitors the lead for the first time in the game.
Half time 3-4.
The Seasiders made the point of coming out early from the break, anxious to get back into the rhythm of a game which had saw them record 4 goals on the bounce and looked to continue where they had left off - from the moment the ball rolled forward to start the second half - it was relentless blue and yellow domination.
It was almost a complete reverse of the events of the first 10 minutes, only this time it was Bangor who were running the game.
Dee Savage, getting behind a stunned defence to grab her treble, completing her third hat-trick of the season, making it 5-2 for the visitors.
The talented Kim Dockery playing at the heart of a defence was totally in a different class from anyone on the pitch, playing at her own pace, passing and controlling with ease from the back, her vision at times breathtaking.
Then Lisa Mahood added a sixth away strike in the eighth minute of the second half, as the young Raiders seemed to abandon ship, scoring after breaking through to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Mahood sliding ball low into the right hand side.
6-3 - 25 minutes to go.
Bangor at this stage - were ordered to sit back, take the foot off the pedal and try and keep the ball - taking any opportunity of another turn round out of the equation.
Tanya Back came on for Cull up front and for fifteen minutes this tactic seemed to slow the game down and looked to have secured the points, but credit to the home who tried hard to respond.
A mistimed tackle gave the home support a glimmer of hope the referee pointing to the spot - however it was short lived the Newtownards striker facing Bradley, blasted the ball against the post.
A through ball by Dockery, found the tenacious Cathy Duncan, just inside the Newtownards half and nothing was going to stop her advance, she burst through shirking off two tackles, leaving the Raiders in her wake, before hammering the ball in to the net for the magnificent seventh and final goal! A tremendous all round team effort and a performance which had the management had seen glimpse’s of in the lengthy unbeaten run put to gether by the side since May.
Bangor Ladies Football emphased and gave credit to the standard of play by the Ards Raiders team and congratulate their young rivals, on their achievements this season and on the manner in which the game was played, generally it was enthralling and another good advert for women’s football - just as it should be.