‘Seasider Summer Weekly’ returns for another edition, and it has once more been an action-packed last seven days at Bangor FC where there has been progress on several fronts. Firstly, the pre-season fixture list has been unveiled by the club, and less than a week’s wait is needed before the Seasiders’ men’s 2023/24 term springs back into life with the tasty welcoming of new Irish League kings Larne.
It has been full steam ahead for Bangor FC Ladies, whose campaign is firmly in swing and which continued with a fine extra-time victory in the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup last Sunday. Meanwhile, another integral component of the double-winning men’s outfit of last term has committed his future for the next couple of years, while a stylish makeover of the changing rooms has also been on a packed summer agenda.
There was some added tension surrounding the fashion in which Bangor FC Ladies booked their place in Round Two of the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup, but any feelings of anxiety were kept well at bay by the cool-headed players last Sunday.
A 2-1 success at home to Lisburn Distillery Ladies has Ethan Boylan’s panel in the hat for the next phase of the distinguished IFA-sanctioned competition.
It was not all plain sailing for the Seasiders at Clandeboye Park, who were forced to go the distance when a last-gasp leveller in regulation cancelled out substitute Francesca Costa’s deadlock-breaker and called for extra-time to come into play.
Player spotlight:
Since her arrival from Glentoran, where she served among the east Belfast club’s youth ranks, teenage midfielder Francesca Costa has routinely caught the eye with all-action displays in midfield. Her first goal for Bangor, a well-placed curler which nestled beautifully in the top right corner, was a scorching strike that set the Seasiders on their way eight minutes into the second period. Image from Sarah Harkness.
Thankfully, though, the dreaded penalty shoot-out was not forthcoming after Lydia Clarke fired in the winner with nine minutes to spare.
Beyond the unenviably warm conditions the fixture was contested in, such that water breaks were availed of during the middle of each half, manager Boylan has not found the going easy on the injury front of late either – and the enforced substitution of young midfielder Janine Jess five minutes before half-time with an apparent ankle knock was no help to that cause.
The 32-year-old found clear-cut chances at a relative premium despite Bangor keeping the action within the opposition half for long stretches, but it was Jess’ replacement who struck the first blow and capped off a well-worked move.
The industrious Costa was the beneficiary and delectably curled the hosts into the lead on 53 minutes – her first goal in yellow and blue, rewarding a hot spell following the restart in which Leah Robinson also crashed a distance drive agonisingly off the underside of the bar.
Although spearheading goal supremos Amber Dempster and Olivia Brown were still unavailable, there was no shortage of intent that was highlighted by another woodwork strike and several forays forward into Distillery’s final third. It was not to be in their net where the next goal of the game would nestle, however.
Four minutes into stoppage-time, in a final throw of the dice, the Whites’ Ellie Tennyson let fly from outside the area and rifled beyond Giulia McLaughlin into the top right corner.
McLaughlin got a good hand to the attempt, but the power took the ball beyond the Seagulls stopper and, having caused a stirring giant-killing in the Co Antrim Cup by eliminating Premiership Larne on penalties last month, the possibility of sending another higher-tiered outfit out was on the New Grosvenor institution’s radar once more.
Player spotlight:
The heartbeat of the team from the centre of the park, Erin Hennity had herself a notably impressive game on Sunday, controlling the tempo and spreading the ball about the pitch as well as linking her team-mates in through short and sharp interplays. She was rewarded following the conclusion with the Player of the Match award. Image from Sarah Harkness.
But the Division Four side were not to repeat the feat in north Down. After a goalless first half of extra-time, the eventual winner was yielded just one minute into the second batch of 10 when Clarke turned home.
Robinson’s cross from the right asked questions of the visiting defence and, after trickling just beyond substitute line-leader Claire Oakley, winger Clarke trapped the ball under her spell at the left-hand post before clinically burying it from close range.
When the full-time whistle sounded, there was a palpable relief but also a sense of satisfaction from the players and management alike that a stern examination of their credentials had been navigated cleanly.
As such, Bangor can look forward to being in the hat for Round Two of the prestigious tournament.
And while it may have taken a little while longer than he would have liked, Boylan was very much fulfilled in the satisfaction department.
A match that always represented a potential banana skin, bearing in mind Distillery had taken Donald Malomo-Paris’ Larne side – a team five divisions above them – to penalties after a 2-2 draw and prevailed by that metric, the Seasiders weren’t to slip up in the end.
Singling out the determination to get the job done in circumstances that do not necessarily favour most sides, the one-time goal-getter extraordinaire was pleased that Bangor could regather and reserve their seat at the winners’ table.
Boylan said: “It was tough in the heat and we were asking a lot of the players but, overall, I’m really happy with how the players responded when it would have been really easy after that late goal to drop their heads.
“At the start of extra-time, I told the players that we had to dig deep and pick ourselves up again and, all credit to them, they came out and they managed to control that part of the game and start creating chances to win it.
“Lydia was alert at the back post and finished well, that’s won us the game and we’re still in the hat.”
“At the start of extra-time, I told the players that we had to dig deep, pick ourselves up again”
Bangor FC Ladies boss Ethan Boylan had a simple message for his players at the start of the additional period
Following a streak of three games without a victory, a return to triumphant ways was much welcomed by the manager, who has not found his fit and available resources in quite as plentiful supply in recent times.
While he felt there were a handful of areas for improvement, the result was well-earned on the balance of play in his book.
“We’d a few careless giveaways and lacked a bit of penetration in our passing in and around the final third, the final ball, and a few times we overplayed and missed the opportunity to have the shot,” the long-time Seasider favourite reflected.
“It was tough in the heat and we were asking a lot of the players but, overall, I’m really happy with how the players responded”
Bangor FC Ladies manager Ethan Boylan was pleased by the response his players offered in extra-time
“In general, we were good at holding onto the ball and getting the ball forward, and it was just about creating chances with it.
“They (Distillery) sat quite deep out of possession, two banks in front of the ball and they defended well, and then obviously in the last minute of the game, they got a good goal.
The quotes section:
“They (Distillery) sat quite deep out of possession, two banks in front of the ball and they defended well, and then obviously in the last minute of the game, they got a good goal. They hadn’t as many opportunities in the game but we had to react from that, it takes resilience to react from that and our players showed that it’s something that they have” – Bangor FC Ladies boss Ethan Boylan was pleased by the resilience his players showed after being forced to extra-time. Image from Sarah Harkness.
“They hadn’t as many opportunities in the game but we had to react from that, it takes resilience to react from that and our players showed that it’s something that they have.
“We’re through to the next round, that’s the main thing, that’s important and I’m satisfied with that.”
“In general, we were good at holding onto the ball and getting the ball forward, and it was just about creating chances with it”
Bangor FC Ladies supremo Ethan Boylan challenged his charges to unlock a pathway in the opposition backline
Following the postponement of their midweek NIWFA Championship duel – the Ladies were due to meet the league leaders Lisburn Rangers at Crumlin Leisure Centre on Wednesday before the plug was pulled – the next time Boylan sends his squadron out will be next Wednesday, when Comber Rec visit Clandeboye Park in the latest fresh batch of second-flight fixtures. Kick-off is at 7:30pm.
Elsewhere, confirmation of the senior men’s pre-season rota was announced earlier this week, and supporters need wait just five more days before Lee Feeney sends his team back into action following the end-of-term break.
It is a tasty one, too. A clash of champions, indeed, as top-flight victors Larne travel to the seaside to take on the Premier Intermediate League holders.
With the Inver Reds preparing to tackle the Champions League for the first time in their history, drawing Finnish titans HJK Helsinki in the First Qualifying Round of the esteemed continental competition on Tuesday, their preparations for an exciting next step will continue as they visit Clandeboye Park next Tuesday night.
It will see Lee Bonis, Leroy Millar, Andy Ryan and Co. pose stern opposition to a hosting team that is now back in their training routine and raring to go again.
Larne’s Gibson Cup-clinching campaign in review (league stats, 2022/23):
- Position – first-place (champions)
- Points – 83 (38 matches played)
- Goals scored – 64
- Goals conceded – 22
- Top scorer – Lee Bonis (15 goals)
- Top assister – Lee Bonis, Leroy Millar (nine assists)
- Clean sheets – 22 (20 Rohan Ferguson, two Jack McIntyre)
This is the third consecutive campaign that these two one-time giants of the Northern Irish intermediate game have faced off in an official or unofficial capacity. Last pre-season, Larne claimed the spoils through a brace by Ben Doherty and a set-piece strike by Albert Watson, while Ronan Hale’s four-goal haul helped the east Antrim institution to a 5-0 away success in the Irish Cup Fifth Round in January 2022.
Of course, Larne’s aspirations extend to mounting a triumphant defence of their Irish League crown, having finished six points clear of second-placed Linfield to clinch the Gibson Cup for the first time in their 134-year history. On the Bangorian front, meanwhile, it is about securing the highest possible place and sealing the strongest footing on their return to the top two rungs following a seven-year absence – a new challenge to encounter.
The versatile Jamie Glover keeps tabs on Larne skipper Tomás Cosgrove during last August’s clash. Cosgrove now has the distinction of being the only man to win both the first and last editions of the Danske Bank Premiership, having won the first iteration as a Cliftonville player back in 2013. Image from Joe McEwan.
Since their takeover by local businessman Kenny Bruce in 2017, the Invermen have surged all the way from the bottom half of the Championship to the very pinnacle of the domestic game, with five of their seven senior honours in club history coming since the Purplebricks co-founder took the reins.
And with Tiernan Lynch delivering instructions from the dugout for the entire duration of Bruce’s five-and-a-half-year-long ownership, he will doubtless be desperate for more cups next campaign.
Bangor’s PIL-winning campaign in review (league stats, 2022/23):
- Position – first-place (champions)
- Points – 70 (27 matches played)
- Goals scored – 67
- Goals conceded – 14
- Top scorer – Ben Arthurs, Adam Neale (20 goals)
- Top assister – Reece Neale (10 assists)
- Clean sheets – 15 (14 James Taylor, one Marc Orbinson)
They have already faced up to Championship opposition in their schedule so far, defeating Harland and Wolff Welders 8-0 in their most recent outing. A first-half hat-trick by flying Scotsman Ryan, whose seven Premiership strikes following his January arrival from Hamilton Academical proved so influential in that famous league success, was followed by a double off the bench by Portadown native Bonis – called up to the senior international squad for the first time and linked with a £300,000 cross-water move at present.
Top-tier Player of the Year Millar, who has extended his deal at Inver Park until 2026, also marked the scoresheet versus Paul Kee’s outfit, sandwiched by goals from Paul O’Neill and Matthew Lusty. They are not willing to rest on their laurels and remain on the crest of a golden wave.
The popular Ryley D’Sena was a member of a double-winning Seasider panel in 2022/23, while fellow Australian teenager Nick Aretzis spent the second half of the previous term as an important component of the Bangor backline. With a highly successful full-time model in place in the harbour town, the Yellows can expect a high-calibre starting 11 to figure against them.
Hello yellow:
As the second Australian defender to arrive at Bangor during last term, Ryley D’Sena, now back at parent club Larne, played a valuable role in helping the Seasiders collect both the Steel and Sons and Premier Intermediate trophies in 2022/23. The 20-year-old’s astute ball-playing ability and work-rate in the yellow and blue shirt caught supporters’ eyes, and it satisfied supporters greatly that he heads back to the Inver Reds a double-winner. Image from Sarah Harkness.
New arrivals Craig Farquhar and Ali Omar – two young defenders snapped up from Ballymena United and Torquay United respectively – could be part of that starting side, taking to the artificial turf and making their impressions felt.
Player to watch:
When Craig Farquhar broke into the Ballymena United first-team during the second half of last season, he stood out immediately and displayed an alert positional sense that endeared him to the faithful and made him a mainstay in the team quickly. The former Dundela loanee will hope for a similarly speedy impression having completed his move to Larne. Image from Larne FC Social Media.
History stretches back and unites these two teams, such as when Frankie Wilson and his boys in yellow and blue emerged victorious in the 2011 Steel and Sons Cup Final at the expense of their rivals up the A8, and they were in the same tier as each other as recently as seven years ago.
With both teams now at senior status following Bangor’s awaited return to the second-flight, it promises to be an acquainted and good-spirited meeting between a pair of outfits who retain high hopes of a prosperous year ahead.
Kick-off next Tuesday, June 27, is at 7:45pm.
Meanwhile, there was delight from supporters at the news of left-back Reece Neale’s deal extension this week.
The flying fullback etched his signature on the dotted line of a two-year professional contract that sees him commit his future to Clandeboye Park.
Arriving from Carrick Rangers in the summer of 2021, the Ballynahinch defender announced himself without hesitation, scoring a stunning free-kick goal on his debut in the first fixture of that year’s PIL crusade – a 3-1 home victory over Tobermore United. It set the tone for what was to follow and, in his second campaign on the seaside, Neale recorded six goals and 15 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions as Bangor sealed a second-tier step-up.
The stats that matter (2022/23):
- Age: 25
- Joined Bangor: July 2021
- Previous clubs: Linfield Swifts, Ards, Carrick Rangers
- Position: left-back/left wing-back
- Appearances (2022/23): 40
- Goals (2022/23): six (nine overall)
- Assists (2022/23): 15
- Minutes played (2022/23): 3,275 (36.2 full 90s)
The 25-year-old was an undisputed mainstay at left wing-back in Lee Feeney’s preferred system, his bombardments up and down the pitch and contributions during both attack-minded and more defensive phases of play earning him rave reviews among the Seasiders faithful.
An ambitious character by nature, Neale also claimed his second Steel and Sons Cup last campaign – his second such, captaining Linfield Swifts to victory in the Christmas showpiece in 2016 – alongside his second promotion, having helped Carrick move into the Premiership through the play-off in 2019 in which former employers Ards fell by their sword.
He is respected by manager Feeney, reflected in his vice-captain status within the side and, as the only man to feature in all 27 of Bangor’s league games last term, clearly one of the first names on the team-sheet too.
First arriving at Bangor as a player who had not tasted the Premier Intermediate League before, Reece Neale‘s swift adaptation to Lee Feeney’s system help him get wind in his sails early on in his Seasider adventure. Having speedily endeared himself to Bangor supporters through his consistent high standard of performances, which culminated in Player of the Year accolades come the conclusion of his first campaign, he will have spent four years on the seaside should he see out the full duration of his two-year contract. Image from Sarah Harkness.
The excitement from the south Down star for the trials to come is clear for all to see, his energy rubbing off on his team-mates and his winning mentality much-coveted in the camp.
The supporters were utterly thrilled by their set-up supremo opting to prolong his association, following in the footsteps of Ben Arthurs, Lewis Harrison (both two-year deals) and Ryan Arthur (one-year contract) in tying themselves down ahead of the start of the pre-season schedule.
May Reece’s enthusiasm for the game continue into another exciting campaign where he will once again prove pivotal.
Lastly, take a moment to peruse the work done to the changing rooms that has gone on during the early summer months.
First-team coach Dean Gordon was a principal overseer of this big project, with contributions coming from FLYNN, MC Upholstery, Xcel Signs, Bangor Signs, and Graphics and Sports – Mental Health NI in the stunning makeover.
The club’s own Maintenance Team, which comprises Head Groundsman Gary Greer who has been busy enhancing the ground and conducting maintenance work, have also helped and assisted the club’s continued growth off the pitch.
Check out the social media video above to see just what has been achieved in the changing area. You won’t be disappointed.
Featured image from Sarah Harkness.
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