This weekend, at least one perfect record will fall as the two table-toppers who between them are yet to drop a point in league play face off. In the return to Premier Intermediate League action three weeks on from the last fixture, Bangor make the trip to Lisburn to face newly-promoted Ballymacash Rangers. It is worth noting the slightly earlier kick-off time of 1pm, due to the Northern Ireland vs Kosovo Nations League match later in the day.
These are clashes that often determine levels and capabilities, that can announce to challengers the task to come. The Cash have hit the ground running in their first bow at this level and their results and performances have proved eye-catching, which sets up a finely poised contest that both sides enter into with an upbeat trajectory.
The Seasiders’ 4-0 victory over Strabane Athletic in the Irish Cup second round last Saturday was made all the more impressive by the blue and white-striped side’s surprise win at Dergview in the North West Cup in mid-week.
Since learning that Belfast Celtic, as in the re-scheduled Steel and Sons Cup set of fixtures next weekend, will also be their next foes in Ireland’s oldest football cup competition at October’s end, Ballymacash simultaneously were drawn against south Belfast side Rosario, who Celtic in fact eliminated from the Steel and Sons in the tournament’s second round.
The hosts on Saturday showed little relent or remorse to secure their stage three spot. Just the 10 goals against Bryansburn Rangers did the job.
It is indicative of their strong start to the season. In the league, Lee Forsythe’s side kicked off on the road with a 0-3 win at Portstewart, followed it up with a 6-1 rout of Banbridge Town in their home debut at this level before sealing another 0-3 success away to Moyola Park to ensure they enter this clash three from three.
Their 10-0 defeat of Bryansburn at the Bluebell followed a 5-0 first round success over Kilmore Rec in the Irish Cup. A 4-1 win over fellow third-tier outfit PSNI sets them up to welcome Derriaghy CC in the Steel and Sons Cup. Meanwhile, their League Cup adventure was ended in the preliminary round as Dollingstown saw them off 2-1 at Planters Park – though they were leading at the half in that one.
The signs are they should not be underestimated. An ambitious club actively investing in facilities and high-level playing talent, and just as intent on being a hub for the local community, their start reflects a team not keen to hang around this level for long.
| PIL fixtures | Matchday 4 (24th September) | |
| Ballymacash Rangers | vs | Bangor |
| Dollingstown | vs | PSNI |
| Limavady United | vs | Banbridge Town |
| Lisburn Distillery | vs | Tobermore United |
| Moyola Park | vs | Armagh City |
| Queen’s University | vs | Portstewart |
“The long-term vision is to become a Premiership club and follow in the footsteps of clubs like Dungannon Swifts and Warrenpoint Town,” manager Forsythe told the Sunday Life.
“My aim (right now) is for Ballymacash to be competitive and hold their own against the likes of Armagh City and Bangor.”
The Cash have called on the impetus offered by the likes of Jack Smith, Justin Armstrong and Zach Barr to lead their offensive play. With 12 goals and just one conceded, they sit atop the tree on the basis of superior goal difference – a status Bangor, who kept their seventh clean sheet in eight matches last time, will keenly try to threaten.
The Yellows’ wins to nil over Lisburn Distillery, Limavady United and Dollingstown, scoring nine across those three, have them 2nd-placed.
Lee Feeney’s team trained well this week and while no title is decided in September, there is no denying the gravity of the test to come.
If it’s to deal blows to the likes of the Seasiders Forsythe wants, he’s sure to set Ballymacash – founded in 1984 and easily distinguishable by their unique ‘Jolly Roger’ club crest inspired by an old tale of marching bands and flagpoles – to be front-footed from the outset. Bangor’s habit of early goals this term speaks to a side who start games well, but there could be a bit of jostling for control at points.
It will call on the visitors to keep the defensive resolve they’ve held such pride in all season. Players point to the sharpness at the back as arguably the most important facet of their success so far this term.
Feeney has repeatedly called for ruthlessness in front of goal, and while some high-calibre finishing was seen against Strabane, a strong display from the visiting shot-stopper still denied the scoreline rising higher in their favour. The awaited arrival of Adam Neale from Rathfriland Rangers could solve the manager’s oft-reiterated point, and he is in contention to debut in this weekend’s match.
The striker, who trialled with the club in pre-season in a July friendly with Glenavon, struck 40 for last season’s Intermediate Cup winners and one of the top teams in Amateur League.
Should the 29-year-old make his bow and deliver a match-defining impact, be it from the start or bench, he will surely swiftly follow his younger brother and club vice-captain Reece in holding fan favourite status.
“It’s a deep squad and all of the boys know that they have to work hard to get in the team and keep their spot, but opportunities are there for everyone,” Feeney told the County Down Spectator on the topic of strength in depth, further enhanced by Neale’s arrival.
“We learned last season that we needed quality depth in the squad because there will always be injuries and suspensions which take their toll.
“I was pleased on Saturday that we had scored four goals and had four different goalscorers, but I know there is so much more to come at that end of the pitch.
“If we had been more ruthless, more clinical and made better decisions, we would have been walking away with six or seven goals to our name.”
Ballymacash won 25 of 30 league matches in the Mid Ulster Intermediate A before sealing their step-up with a 5-2 aggregate success over St James’ Swifts in the final play-off. Since first taking the reins at the Cash a little under two years ago following the return of Linfield legend Michael Gault to the Blues – where he is now head coach of their Swifts team – ex-Ards Rangers and Knockbreda boss Forsythe has overseen an immeasurable amount of progress that has peaked at their present status as a Premier Intermediate outfit.
While he described their chances of winning the third-tier as an “absolute daydream” to DigiVibe Media in the post-match of their Banbridge Town victory, it’s a tightly-knit division where circumstances and expectations can change when a certain run of momentum is struck. It is a start that has a home support who have attended their games in number excited about what could be to come.
For Bangor, it is about seeing through the noise and taking top spot professionally. The ultimate season target is to follow through and fulfil promotion to the Championship that wasn’t attained last time – but Feeney has issued a warning that no results will be handed out on a silver platter.
“Against better sides, we may not get as many chances so we need to make sure we take them when they come,” he continued.
“Defensively we were excellent again and I was delighted with another clean sheet. We will need to make sure we perform the same way on Saturday.
“We’re going away to the league leaders and they will be full of confidence. For us, it’s another league match we want to go and win. We have only played three league fixtures so far this season and winning is good to build momentum.”
But Feeney also thinks it will not be the be all and end all, even if Bangor were to take the points home.
“There are another 24 games remaining and Saturday won’t be the biggest fixture with Ballymacash Rangers this season.”
A four-goal win with four different scorers, including two who struck their first of the season, marks a decent return. Ben Arthurs’ seventh in six starts across all competitions – including four in the PIL – puts him in a rich vein of form. Every game the Kircubbin ace has been named to the starting team in, he’s found the net.
It was needed after a shoot-out defeat in a spirited regulation goalless draw with Cliftonville in the County Antrim Shield first stage and a hard first round 0-4 home loss to Annagh United in the League Cup last mid-week.
Saturday promises to be an entertaining clash. It should be close. It could be chaotic. Either way, it’s a big chance for one team or the other to lay down an early marker.
A reminder once again that the brand new Girls Academy gets under way this Sunday 25th September with the first of four free taster sessions.
It is available to all girls born between 2011 and 2015 and will take place across four successive Sundays, starting this weekend. If you would like to learn more, you can contact girlsacademy@bangorfc.com as the club accelerates growth of a women’s sector that is on an upward path. The sessions take place from 11:30am to 12:30pm.
Elsewhere, Bangor Reserves learned their opponents in the Junior Cup second round in the week, following their 1-6 elimination of Kircubbin in the first round last Saturday. They will entertain Ballymena-based outfit Carniny Amateur and Youth, with the tie taking place on the 15th October at a scheduled 1:30pm kick-off time.
Meanwhile, this week’s edition of ’20 Questions’ has been released on the club’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
The versatile Jamie Glover is the subject this time, as he offers his insights on a variety of topics – including a frank admission on who wouldn’t make the team on quiz night!
Featured image from Sarah Harkness.
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