Bangor’s pre-season prep continues to accelerate at ever-increasing speeds, as two more friendly matches are accounted for in advance of the new campaign coming. With the senior men fulfilling another couple of their scheduled 10-game programme, firstly against Glentoran on Saturday past and then Moyola Park two days later, the football is coming in at a swift rate of knots right now.
Such that two more fixtures are in the pipeline, a double-header this weekend with simultaneous Queen’s University and Ards Rangers clashes, while the Yellows will then entertain Rangers ‘B’ at Clandeboye Park in a blockbuster Tuesday night kick-off. In addition to those match-ups, upon news of four confirmed departures among the playing camp this week, tributes are paid to the contributions of a quartet who helped paint new history on the Bangor walls.
Pre-season serves up a feast once more following Glens and Moyola duels
First and foremost, the senior men kept up their pre-campaign exploits with a friendly match against Moyola Park on Monday night, the fourth such planned in the itinerary.
A goal apiece for either side during the first half made up the game’s total count; a 1-1 draw the outcome at Clandeboye Park in an encounter that boss Lee Feeney will have taken heart from going into a busy Playr-Fit Championship crusade.
It was Bangor who broke the deadlock when one of four trialists named in the hosts’ starting team found the net in emphatic style – but it took just a further two minutes before Moyola opened their account to level.
That proved to be the tale of the scoreboard on a well-attended Monday evening duel, though the respective brands of football on show will have fuelled the belief of Feeney and his opposite number Stephen Hughes in advance of their respective second and third-tier escapades.
The heavens had, in truth, threatened to open over the seaside, but spirits were brightened a great deal when the Seasiders seized the initiative. Despite Scott McArthur’s low attempt forcing a save from the Moyola Park shot-stopper, on hand immediately was Trialist A – starting at right wing-back – to pick out the top corner with the rebound, rifling home from close range while much of the net was still free to aim for.
That was 34 minutes in, and the friendly fire was to be returned – by 36 minutes, the home wings had been clipped when energetic forward Caleb Wan, recruited by The Park from fellow PIL institution Limavady United just a few days earlier, slid the ball underneath Marc Orbinson to equalise at double-quick notice.
In spite of protestations for offside, the finish counted and, from then, it continued to ebb and flow in an aesthetically pleasing way.
There were changes made by 45-year-old supremo Feeney at the interval – Tom Mathieson and Karl Devine were introduced in place of captain Lewis Harrison and homegrown centre-back Mackenzie Gray – while a further switch just before the hour saw Aaron Harris replace the lively McArthur. The style of play was easy on the eye, if a little lacking in true killer instinct.
Mathieson had almost turned the scoreline back in Bangor’s favour eight minutes after the restart, only to find the ball agonisingly out of his reach following new father Ryan Arthur’s inviting headed cut-back. Thereafter, teenage hotshot Sonny Redford was to glance an aerial attempt wide of the mark nine minutes from time; he had replaced Trialist B mere moments earlier and came within inches of an instant impact.
Player spotlight:
A deciding contribution was conjured up by re-committed attacking midfielder Tom Mathieson during Bangor’s friendly encounter with Moyola Park, with a smart array of darting movements and a chance that he felt he could have put away in the early stages of the second half. Image from Sarah Harkness.
But the outfits were to remain unbroken come the final few peeps of the referee’s whistle.
Four matches in, there is a sense that the approach of those in yellow and blue is starting to take shape – even if a few rough edges remain.
All told, there is nothing that could detract from the whetted appetites going into 2023-24.
Devine’s anticipation for next term is unquenched, his eagerness driven by the fact that he has not featured in a competitive match since the middle of February. The midfielder from east Belfast, who has signed on for a third term in that bright-coloured jersey, is a dynamic figure and one who can act as an engine room when in peak condition.
Following on from the ankle blow he sustained when facing Ballymacash Rangers on February 17, the charismatic former Dundela man admits it has been a long, agonising road to recovery, but the light at the end of the tunnel is firmly in sight.
“Aye, I’m still building my way back to match fitness,” said Devine.
“For me, it had been a long time out, it’s good to be back after that time out injured and I just wanted to get back to playing.
“I’ve missed being out on the pitch and I’m ready to get back at it when the new season starts.”
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“Aye, I’m still building my way back to match fitness. For me, it had been a long time out, it’s good to be back after that time out injured and I just wanted to get back to playing. I’ve missed being out on the pitch and I’m ready to get back at it when the new season starts” – midfielder Karl Devine is enjoying being back on the pitch after more than three months on the sidelines and is looking forward to playing a starring role in the new season. Image from Sarah Harkness.
While 27-year-old Devine’s playing hiatus was longer than that of his peers, he adds that the continual getting back into touch with plying his trade on the pitch is one that resonates within the whole squad.
“I think Feeno was saying there after, he was talking about distances, about needing to keep the distancing across the team consistent”
Karl Devine referred to some of the pointers Bangor boss Lee Feeney offered during the post-match team talk following the Moyola Park game
“I think Feeno (Lee Feeney) was saying there after, he was talking about distances, about needing to keep the distancing across the team consistent and not letting the gaps between ourselves in our shape get too big as they (Moyola) played through us a couple of times, it’s just being careful of that,” he notes.
“In terms of our positioning as a collective, we still need to sharpen that up a wee bit but again, that’ll come as we keep getting more minutes under our belt.
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“In terms of our positioning as a collective, we still need to sharpen that up a wee bit but again, that’ll come as we keep getting more minutes under our belt. We played some good football, just lacking a bit in the execution but we kept it going and knocked it about quickly” – Karl Devine says there is room for improvement but that pieces of the jigsaw are continuing to click. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
“We played some good football, just lacking a bit in the execution but we kept it going and knocked it about quickly.
“It’s positive that we’ve been able to retain most of the team from last year,” he goes on, “lots of old faces – there’s still Davy (Hume), Adam (Neale), big James (Taylor) coming back from injury, hopefully Boyler (John Boyle) as well – and hopefully a few fresh faces coming in too.”
With two more pre-season fixtures coming up this Saturday, namely the near-concurrent kick-offs against Premier Intermediate League Queen’s University at Clandeboye Park (3pm) and Amateur League Premier Division squadron Ards Rangers at Drome Park (2pm), there is a bit of intrigue among supporters as to which members of the panel will face which opponent.
Devine, who made 24 appearances last term before injury cruelly cut his industrious exploits short, found the net for the only time in 2022-23 against Queen’s – during the Irish Cup First Round clash 11 months ago – and he reveals that facing the Students would be his first preference if he had the choice.
“No, not yet,” he replied when asked if he knew who he’d be playing on Saturday coming. “We’ll find out later in the week. I’d probably prefer Queen’s, who we played last year and, on paper, they are the better team, but it’s not really that big of a deal to me.
“Whoever I’m playing, I just want 90 minutes in me. I just want to play the full match. You know me, 90 minutes is the main thing.”
“Whoever I’m playing, I just want 90 minutes in me. I just want to play the full match”
Karl Devine insists he is hoping to gain the most minutes possible from the pre-season schedule
Feeney, who celebrated three years in the Bangor hotseat last month, is delighted to have Devine back at his disposal for competitive challenges to come, starting with Ballyclare Comrades three weeks from now.
He is fresh from standing adjacent to his cousin, Warren, on The BetMcLean Oval touchline last weekend, where the Yellows tasted defeat to Glentoran.
A double by line-leader Junior Uzokwe either side of Ben Arthurs’ equaliser in east Belfast would later be added to by strikes from first Luke McCullough and then Kirk McLaughlin – although Orbinson had the better of Danny Purkis when he saved the striker’s second-half spot-kick.
Former Northern Ireland international striker Warren (42) is in Malta at present, where he has just overseen a 2-2 draw with Gżira United in Europa Conference League qualifying having also added the Irish League title-winning Fuad Sule to his arsenal of midfield options, and the elder ‘Feeno’ admits that he was not surprised by Saturday’s result.
Bangor’s Scott McArthur applies pressure on Glentoran Player of the Year Bobby Burns during the friendly encounter between the Seasiders and the east Belfast club on a sunny Saturday past. Goals from Luke McCullough, Kirk McLaughlin and a brace by Junior helped the Glens emerge victorious, with Ben Arthurs at one point levelling for the visitors. Image from Sarah Harkness.
“Yeah, the game was obviously arranged before he (Warren) came in, but I’d say there was a lot of mutual respect on the touchline, there was a lot of banter, a bit of craic; it was a nice occasion to be a part of,” the Kilkeel chief reflected.
“In terms of the result, it was probably to be expected.
“You know, we gave it a good rattle in the first half especially and Ben had got an equaliser, it was a well-worked goal and Ben showed good control in the situation, but in the second half the Glens just started to pull away a bit.”
The quotes section:
“Yeah, the game was obviously arranged before he came in, but I’d say there was a lot of mutual respect on the touchline, there was a lot of banter, a bit of craic; it was a nice occasion to be a part of. In terms of the result, it was probably to be expected. You know, we gave it a good rattle in the first half especially and Ben had got an equaliser, it was a well-worked goal and Ben showed good control in the situation, but in the second half the Glens just started to pull away a bit” – Bangor boss Lee Feeney offered reflections on the friendly against Glentoran a couple of days prior to the Moyola Park clash. Image from Sarah Harkness.
On Monday night, Feeney oversaw a draw that still leaves Bangor on the hunt for a first win of pre-season, but the pieces are starting to come back into place.
“I saw positives in the performance tonight,” he added.
“A few new boys were involved, a few who I think can come in and strengthen the team, and we need that”
Bangor supremo Lee Feeney was pleased with the contributions of those who were on trial during the duel with Moyola Park
“A few new boys were involved, a few who I think can come in and strengthen the team, and we need that; (if we’ve) four, five, six new players coming in and they’re challenging for first-team places, it keeps everyone on their toes.”
Reserves boss David Downes spoke after the Moyola game of his delight at the amount of youth involvement, too, believing exposure to a first-team setting to be beneficial both to players and the team.
“It’s been great to see,” he beamed. “It’s been great seeing these young lads get the opportunity, with all of the likes of Sonny (Redford), Sam (Millar), Charley (Craig) and Mackenzie (Gray) getting minutes.
“It’s showing them the pathway’s there and it’s about driving the standards up, we want them continually going up”
Bangor Reserves manager David Downes is ecstatic about the chances being offered to Academy talent this pre-season
“That’ll not only benefit them, but whether they’re in the first-team or they’re training with the rest of the lads in the Reserves, that’ll benefit their team-mates, too. It’s showing them the pathway’s there and it’s about driving the standards up, we want them continually going up. We want ambitious lads and want players who will be knocking on the door.”
And following this Saturday’s double-header, there is the grand occasion of Rangers ‘B’s visit to Clandeboye Park next Tuesday.
The Glaswegian giants’ second string are in town for an occasion that is widely expected to bring a massive crowd to the north Down venue.
Feeney has already declared that he expects it to be a different type of test from what his boys are used to, but the excitement and smiles on collective faces are impossible to wipe off from either players or supporters. It is a match where Light Blues players who have already graced the Ibrox turf as first-teamers could feature, and the potential and promise of the Govan institution’s next generation will be laid bare before Bangor eyes.
It is hardly a fixture you will want to miss as the Yellows tackle cross-water opposition for the first time in many years. Perhaps, even, one with echoes of bygone eras, of FC Emmen, of Tatran Prešov, of Sigma Olomouc, of APOEL.
Either way, it is not one you want to miss. You can purchase your tickets via the enclosed link above.
On the night itself, July 18, the club has ensured that it lives up to the scintillating event that it so promises to be.
With live music from Aaron Craig inside the Social Club from 5:30pm onwards, gates open ripe and early from 6pm – there is a cash gate and a ticket gate as illustrated in the diagram below – ahead of the scheduled 7:30pm kick-off. Rangers ‘B’, who can count, among others, Donaghadee teenager Mason Munn within their travelling party, are on a tour of Northern Ireland having already encountered Crusaders at Seaview on Saturday.
In the second match of their double-header, although the chances of renowned Tiger’s Bay boxer and proud Hatchetman Carl Frampton making an appearance may be decidedly slimmer, they will face a Bangor team hungry to build into the Championship season ahead.
There was a surprise in store when Rangers ‘B’ visited Seaview in north Belfast to take on Crusaders, as well-regarded former boxing ace Carl Frampton appeared from the bench to play for his boyhood club on Saturday. Stephen Baxter’s side had been in Finland, where they claimed a 2-2 draw with FC Haka Valkeakoski earlier in the week. Image from Stephen Hamilton.
It is a line-up that provides insight into what may be in store for the Teddy Bears in the future while allowing the hosting Seasiders to assess their present status.
A sizeable crowd is anticipated and your support is very much appreciated.
Seasiders wish revered quartet well for their next chapter
On the transfer front, everyone at Bangor FC sends their best wishes to four players whose departures from the Seagulls have been confirmed.
The fast-paced and versatile Jamie Glover has made the switch to east Belfast-based fellow Playr-Fit Championship side Harland and Wolff Welders, dual-sided fullback Ally Ferguson has moved across the fence to join Bangor Amateurs, while popular defenders Ryley D’Sena and Seanna Foster have returned to Larne and Cliftonville respectively following the finish of their season-long loan deals.
Memories for a lifetime:
It was hard to remember any time Seanna Foster dropped even to an average level in his standard of displays, but a two-assist account away to Dollingstown in March – both for Ben Arthurs on the day he scored 100 goals for Bangor – must rank among his best. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
Each of that quartet have cemented their names in the history books for their roles in the double-winning adventure the club have embarked on in the past year, and as they head into the next steps of their career, they go with the distinct appreciation from all those persuaded in the yellow-blue strip.
22-year-old Glover, whose wonder strike against Ballymacash at Seaview sent the following faithful into a state of rapture – not mentioning the team into a Steel and Sons Cup Final – provided some unforgettable moments of skill and ability that will doubtless serve him well when he tackles the Blanchflower turf next term, his second stint with the Welders.
Memories for a lifetime:
You could award it Goal of the Season on quality alone, but significance played no lesser a part as last season’s Young Player of the Year, Jamie Glover, bagged a famous curling finish that sent Bangor to a Steel and Sons Cup Final. Image from Sarah Harkness.
With 33 appearances across all competitions last term, he proved dependable in attacking midfield and wing-back roles, while Ferguson (22) – who notched up a goal and an assist in an early-season eight-goal Steel and Sons victory over Greenisland that highlighted his abilities from right-back – can offer Amateur League Division 1B panel the Ams an out-ball also.
Australian D’Sena (20), whose parent club scooped up the Premiership title for the first time in their history as well as a third straight County Antrim Shield, has his own league-and-cup double to show off when he returns to Inver Park, while dependable 26-year-old Foster, scorer of one goal and assister of seven across 35 features at right wing-back, will feel similarly bright as the Belfast ace heads back to Solitude with his spirits up.
With highlight reels and occasions to savour, the club is proud of what these four players achieved and bids them all good luck going forward.
Featured image from Sarah Harkness.
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