No sooner is one Premier Intermediate League match done and dusted than another is on the immediate horizon. Following on from Wednesday’s comprehensive victory in their league curtain-raiser against Lisburn Distillery, Bangor have their eyes swiftly cast to a trip up north to face Limavady United
The Seasiders’ first away day in league play is one of the longest trips on the calendar, a trip to the Limavady Showgrounds to face a team who last season were in promotion contention. By no means can it be expected that this will be a simple three points to claim.
The post-split edition of this fixture last season proved a frustrating affair for the fans in attendance.
When it is a long away day like this, it can feel unsatisfying when you are headed home tasting the bitter pill of defeat.
Despite the lush scenery of the Sperrin Mountains greeting you as you enter and depart this part of the world, such sights of natural beauty were not enough to turn a frown to a smile following Bangor’s 4-2 defeat in drizzly weather conditions.
It made their ultimate finish in the promotion playoff position perhaps a little more climactic than would have been liked.
Nevertheless, it is a new season, and with that brings new opportunity. Lee Feeney will be keen to build on this fantastic early season momentum, and put right where they went wrong on this road adventure in April.
Bangor led twice in that match, an early brace by Jamie Glover including a brilliant distance drive for his second coming either side of Lims star striker Alex Pomeroy’s initial leveller from the spot. They entered the break 1-2 up – buoyant hopefully that this could make the playoff push plainer-sailing – but the lead would not be retained.
And the hosts would not be restrained. Pomeroy, a physical frontman who can be used capably as a focal-point, converted a second spot-kick shortly after the half restarted. From there, they struck twice more and it went unresponded to the end.
Feeney would rather it goes like the first trip went. In mid-March, a first half drive by Lewis Harrison consolidated the points as the Seasiders left with a 0-1 win and a clean sheet.
It’s a chance to lay down an early marker against a competitive team. Bangor’s tally after their first three fixtures reads 15 scored and 0 conceded, and the manager and players have taken early pride in securing three successive clean sheets. If Lee’s touchline mannerisms are anything to go by, he’ll refuse to let any instances of complacency slip through the net.
The trip from the seaside is to a club who have a long and esteemed history within football on the island of Ireland.
Founded in 1884 following the amalgamation of two teams, Alexander and Wanderers, Limavady United are one of Northern Ireland’s oldest and most revered provincial clubs. In the early days, the Roesiders reached successive Irish Cup finals in 1885 and 1886, but were rather ironically defeated on both occasions by Bangor’s previous opponents Distillery.
In more recent times, they reached the Irish Cup semifinals in 2004, but were defeated by provincial rivals Coleraine in that showpiece.
The connections continue – the Bannsiders were then beaten by Glentoran in the final at Windsor Park. Who scored the winner? None other than a now 43-year-old Michael Halliday, who is still going strong and who appeared off the bench for Bangor opener on Wednesday. He’s set to be in the squad again on Saturday.
Some may recall Limavady for a brief stint in national headlines in 2011, when they jokingly faxed in to Manchester City to enquire about the availability of Argentine ace Carlos Tevez. The striker looked set for a period of first-team ostracisation under manager Roberto Mancini at the time, and the Lims opportunistically requested his services on loan.
“Pursuant to the well-publicised comments of your manager yesterday evening to the effect that Carlos Tevez would not be permitted to play for your club again, may I on behalf of Limavady United F.C. indicate our willingness to assist you with a difficult problem,” wrote vice-chairman David Brewster to the Cityzens.
“We would be perfectly willing to take Mr. Tevez on loan for the remainder of the season or until transfer, thereby permitting him to play football but without the risk of being cup-tied for the Champions League.
“Limavady United play in the (second-tier) Championship in Northern Ireland and our manager would be happy to accommodate Mr. Tevez within his squad.
“Naturally, our club would not be in a position to discharge Mr. Tevez’s (reported 200k a week) wages but I am sure you can see the advantages of keeping him match-fit prior to any possible sale.”
You don’t ask, you don’t get. It wasn’t a shock that the deal did not materialise, however.
Besides, nowadays they’re suitably content with Pomeroy – their sole representative in last season’s league team of the season – who can be signalled as their main threat. The ex-Knockbreda and Institute man, who has Premiership experience to his name, has been one of the most prolific players at this level in the past year.
He has already opened his account for the season, as Limavady claimed a point in a 2-2 draw at Moyola Park. His goal had doubled their advantage before half time at Mill Meadow, though their hosts’ fightback to earn a share of the spoils leaves his team still searching for their first league victory. They’ll hope this week is the one they truly get off the mark.
For Bangor, it is eyes on the prize once more. A win here sets them up optimally for next Saturday’s home clash with fellow top-half outfit Dollingstown. It would mean the chance for two wins in two, and then three in three against the Dolly Birds.
No-one must get ahead of themselves, though. To make that a reality, the display must be as consummately professional as it was on Wednesday. Limavady finished 4th-place in the Premier Intermediate League last season. They’ll now be hungry to hunt and feast on a bigger prize.
Last in the second-tier in 2018/19, they want to get back there and reclaim their Senior status. Bangor must not let up and let them know that this excellent early run is still very much a sign of things to come.
Featured image from Life Through A Lens NI/Bangor F.C. club website
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