Following on from a duel last weekend where Bangor defied the odds to seize a precious victory in Portadown, the outlook on this occasion does not put a big favourite at play. Split by only one place in the league table, the Seasiders and Institute’s only divider is the virtue that the former have outscored the latter by merely one goal – five to four – that should, in theory, cast as finely poised an encounter as these two are likely to face.
Both respective managers will be licking their lips at the opportunity that comes with these sorts of stakes, and hopefully tees up a front-footed and forward-thinking battle for the maximum spoils in north Down this Saturday. Following on from one victory, the hope from Lee Feeney’s point of view is that those in yellow and blue can make that into a two-game streak. His players did him proud and then some at Shamrock Park; will the Kilkeel supremo be beaming again?
Seasiders bid to bolster bright start by edging close battle with Institute
After a heroic shift last time out, the action refocuses to home soil for Bangor this weekend.
On the fifth matchday of the Playr-Fit Championship season, the Seasiders entertain Institute in a tussle that commences a busy September.
Stat attack:
Following a month of August that saw Bangor face three of last season’s top six teams plus the outfit dropping in, the Seasiders face an entire September of league matches against sides that were in the bottom half last term. By no means, though, should that mean liberties are taken.
As well as five league outings – two at home and three away – Lee Feeney’s team also have the chance to advance to the quarter-finals of the County Antrim Shield, as a swift reuniting with Ballyclare Comrades takes place at Clandeboye Park next Tuesday. Already by the time the ninth month is out, the Yellows could be stood in great stead.
All the same, though, points are not handed out like confetti in this league.
Bangor have already found this both to their benefit and detriment. Following the first quartet of matches this term, the six-point haul accumulated thus far has been built up courtesy of 1-0 victories over Ards and Portadown – though odd-goal defeats against Dundela and the Comrades have kept things honest.
It is on a winning note that the players enter this encounter, though.
The performance last Friday night had to be top-notch to take anything from the game, and that was just what was produced at Shamrock Park.
Scott McArthur’s sublime strike proved an early dagger into Portadown hearts and, while it took the best efforts of shot-stopper James Taylor in the second period to retain the advantage, the ensuing 78 minutes of the contest were to go unresponded in the scoring stakes.
Famous night at Shamrock Park:
A moment of magic from attacking midfielder Scott McArthur gave the Bangor players just the injection they needed to secure a success against Portadown that will live long in the memory. Two world-class and point-blank saves by James Taylor further served to consolidate the lead until the final whistle. Image from Sarah Harkness.
Thanks to a sterling collective spirit that drove Feeney’s charges on in unison, the outcome in Co Armagh was to go down as one of the finest results Bangor have enjoyed in recent times.
But the message always rings true around this place – once success is sealed, following up with a second triumph should be the next objective.
And that is no less true here.
The fruits of victory were tasted and salivated by ‘Stute last weekend, too. They rolled out the red carpet for Ballyclare at the Brandywell on Saturday, yet the points remained in the north west due to Shaun Leppard’s deadlock-breaker in the second half.
Stat attack:
Founded in 1905 on the back of a former club, known as Presbyterian Working Men’s Institute, folding the previous year, Institute started life as a junior club and began life in the North West Football Association. It was not until 1999 that ‘Stute first played in senior football, which was coincidentally against Bangor, when they secured a 3-3 draw in the old First Division, and in 2002 they played Premiership football for the very first time.
The 23-year-old’s finish on the hour confirmed a second win since boss Kevin Deery retook the reins at the Foyle outfit, adding to a 2-0 defeat of Knockbreda on the opening day that ensures they face Bangor with the chance to leapfrog them in the standings.
Both sides sit on half a dozen points – Saturday’s hosts ahead merely on goals scored – and a close-knit picture on the stat sheet is expected to be replicated on the pitch.
The form book:
- 5/8/23 – Institute 2-0 Knockbreda
- 12/8/23 – Portadown 1-0 Institute
- 19/8/23 – Institute 1-3 Newington
- 26/8/23 – Institute 1-0 Ballyclare Comrades
Spirits were further boosted in the Clandeboye camp by the return of a fans’ favourite of last campaign’s double-winning crusade.
You would scarcely find anyone affiliated with the yellow and blue shirt that didn’t express delight at Seanna Foster’s return for a second season on loan.
The popular right wing-back, who played 35 times across all competitions during Bangor’s successful escapade that saw them bag the Premier Intermediate League and Steel and Sons Cup trophies, is back for more after an agreement was reached with Cliftonville for the 26-year-old to come back to north Down for this term.
Coupling a goal with his seven assists opposite Reece Neale in the wide berths, Foster fed off the crowd’s enthusiasm to turn in impressive displays week in, week out, with the former St Oliver Plunkett player going on to play 2,885 minutes – sixth in the standings in 2022-23 – to reflect his value within Feeney’s system.
Seanna’s return is sealed:
It wouldn’t be unfair to say that there was a degree of clamour in this deal. Such clamour reflects the esteem Seanna Foster was held in across all quarters at Bangor, and the Belfast man’s return for more naturally was richly welcomed by supporters. The 26-year-old could make his 36th appearance in a Bangor shirt against Institute this Saturday. Image from Sarah Harkness.
How he would love to make a dream reintroduction this weekend.
The heightened level has posed fresh questions, presenting a new mixture of emotions and a different climate to the PIL, but at this early stage, the levels of enjoyment and satisfaction imply that the second-tier is living up to the billing.
Continuing to put points on the board will simply keep whetting appetites, and with Bangor presently sat in sixth-place, a top-half spot is also undeniably something the coaching staff will be aiming to retain going forward.
That comes back to the aforementioned point. Anything to bolster that standing must be earned in a league where anyone can beat anyone.
Institute were a Premiership club as recently as 2020, when the controversial points-per-game metric spelt the end for top-flight away days in the Maiden City after the campaign was cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since Deery firstly stood down in 2017 following two Championship Play-Off appearances, the side achieved promotion the following year under his former assistant, Paddy McLaughlin – a feat that was made all the more remarkable given early in that season, the club’s former home, the Riverside, was rendered tragically unusable due to flood damage.
Man in the hotseat:
At 38 years old, Kevin Deery may be one of the youngest managers in the NIFL pyramid, but his CV would belie any notion that he has been thrown in at the deep end. A one-club man, spending 13 years with home town club Derry City that included a spell as captain, he also served as a Candystripes assistant between 2018 and 2021 and is now in his second spell as Institute boss. Image from Sportsfile/Derry Now.
Following their move to Derry City’s Brandywell Stadium, ‘Stute’s first term back in the big time ended in a highly creditable eighth-position finish – McLaughlin’s exploits earned him the Cliftonville job, where he spent four and a half highly distinguished years – but, even though they fought valiantly with Sean Connor at the helm in 2019-20, the global health emergency that gripped the world was to result in a premature drop-out of the top-tier.
Deery’s return came on the back of McLaughlin’s assistant at the Reds, Brian Donaghey, leading the charge for a couple of seasons – the second of which saw them finish in 11th-place but avoid a Relegation Play-Off following Warrenpoint Town’s demotion to the PIL.
Therefore, while a familiar face is back, it is very much a new dawn for Institute, who will aim to creep away from the table’s bottom end.
The season summary: Institute (2022-23)
- Position: 11th-place
- Ground: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry/Londonderry, Co Derry/Londonderry
- Points: 38
- Goals for: 50
- Goals against: 63
- Top scorer: Jamie Dunne (nine)
- Manager: Kevin Deery (since June 8, 2023)
In the nascent beginnings of Deery’s homecoming, the signs are already pointing upwards.
Some of their transfer business caught attentions from a Bangor persuasion, too – perhaps none more so than the capture of centre-back Tommy Wray. The Newbuildings native holds a special place in Seasider hearts for his part in the club’s revival, captaining the team in the double-winning Ballymena League/McReynolds Cup campaign of 2019 and giving fans some cheer after distinctly recent times of doom and gloom.
Player spotlight:
One of the most endearing names to wear the Bangor shirt in recent times, current Institute defender Tommy Wray’s contributions in yellow and blue were inspirational behind the side getting back to the point where they can call themselves a Championship club. Having won the Intermediate Cup in 2014 during his first spell, Wray rejoined the Seasiders in the summer of 2018 and duly captained the club to the Ballymena League and McReynolds Cup (left) double in 2019. Image from Gary Carson.
39-year-old Wray was joined through the entry door by Glentoran prodigy Kirk McLaughlin and former Coleraine hotshot Evan Tweed – both loan arrivals, the latter from Ballymena United in this age – as well as Derry City youngsters Mark Mbuli and Tiarnan McKinney and promising Bannsiders product Sean Carlin.
Mbuli was on the scoresheet during ‘Stute’s most recent loss, a 3-1 home reversal at the hands of Newington, as well as converting both strikes in their opening win over ‘Breda.
Containing him will be a priority should Bangor aim to prise the total spoils.
That said, getting the better of Portadown, considered league favourites prior to the season starting, has injected fresh belief within the squad that there is no one to fear at this rung of the pyramid.
| Playr-Fit Championship | Matchday Five (2/9/23) | |
| Annagh United | vs | Newington |
| Ballyclare Comrades | vs | Ballinamallard United |
| Bangor | vs | Institute |
| Dergview | vs | Dundela |
| Harland and Wolff Welders | vs | Portadown |
| Knockbreda | vs | Ards |
Anyone can beat anyone.
It is both a blessing and a curse.
“Among ourselves, a few new signings were involved and we’re coming to terms with that, too – especially in the starting 11,” explained North Down Derby goal hero Adam Neale on the adaptation processes within the squad.
“We’re going into games without fear. We don’t fear anyone in this league”
North Down Derby goalscoring hero Adam Neale cut a confident figure in his words regarding Bangor’s Championship prospects
“It was a bit like that last season as well, we had quite a lot of new players coming in – myself included – and we had to adapt quickly, it took some time to gel properly to each other and our styles of play while still being expected to win games, but it’s a good group of lads.
The quotes section:
“Among ourselves, a few new signings were involved and we’re coming to terms with that, too – especially in the starting 11. It was a bit like that last season as well, we had quite a lot of new players coming in – myself included – and we had to adapt quickly, it took some time to gel properly to each other and our styles of play while still being expected to win games, but it’s a good group of lads. We’re going into games without fear. We don’t fear anyone in this league” – Adam Neale’s comments following the North Down Derby victory precipitated a sterling effort against Portadown last Friday. Image from Sarah Harkness.
“We’re going into games without fear. We don’t fear anyone in this league.”
Meanwhile, McArthur, whose 20-yard shot whistled beyond Ports stopper Gareth Buchanan, continued his hot start to the season – such that he is top scorer in addition to the assist that teed Neale up to prod home against Ards.
“I find the league very exciting,” he admitted. “Every game is competitive, with teams able to beat anyone on their day.
“The Championship so far has suited my play. I like the fast-paced environment and, hopefully, I can keep up my form.”
“The Championship so far has suited my play. I like the fast-paced environment and, hopefully, I can keep up my form”
Scott McArthur admits he is relishing the challenge in prospect of the Championship
The bitter blow of Gareth Beattie’s injury-enforced substitution that has since been revealed to be a fractured fibula comes as a rare dampener to spirits – both he and centre-back Ryan Arthur (ankle) will be out for extended periods – but it could pave the way for Foster to immediately impress once more out to the right.
Much will be revealed come kick-off (3pm) this Saturday.
Defender Omar signs on dotted line and joins Bangor on short-term loan deal
In a deadline day stunner, Bangor have announced the loan arrival of defender Ali Omar from Larne.
The centre-back, who joins on a temporary basis from the Inver Reds until January, was snapped up from Torquay United during the summer.
At 23 years old, he continues to follow the trend of a youthful approach to new arrivals, and the former Barnsley and Queen’s Park Rangers player – who was featured more than 50 times in the Torquay team in the National League, the fifth-tier of the pyramid in England – will be keen to impress in yellow and blue.
Player profile:
- Name: Ali Omar
- Age: 23
- Position: centre-back
- Clubs (senior): Stevenage (2018), Queen’s Park Rangers (2018-19), Grantham (2019-20), Barnsley (2020-21), Torquay United (2021-23), Larne (2023-now)
- Appearances: 55 (51 Torquay, 3 Larne, 1 Stevenage)
- Goals: 1 (Torquay)
Omar, who featured on the bench for the senior sides of Barnsley and QPR and who has been well-accustomed to training in full-time set-ups both across the water and at Larne, has already whetted supporters’ appetites as to what he can bring to the table at Clandeboye Park.
Welcome to Bangor, Ali!
Reserves kick-start campaign this week with home clash against Ballymacash
What’s more, Bangor Reserves get their season up and running when they take on Ballymacash Rangers Reserves at Clandeboye Park this Saturday.
There has certainly been a revamp to the league this season, with several new teams that David Downes and his charges will face this time around, but Ballymacash represent more familiar opposition that the young Seasiders jostled with last term.
In what promises to be a competitive and pulsating league campaign for the Under-20s, who will be aiming to finish closer to the top following their fifth-place finish last time, supremo Downes has prided his players on deploying an attractive brand of football that guarantees an entertaining watch for spectators.
| Champ/PIL Dev League | Matchday One (1-4/9/23) | |
| Bangor Reserves | vs | Ballymacash Rangers Reserves |
| Dundela Reserves | vs | Queen’s University U21 |
| Knockbreda Reseves | vs | Newington U21 |
| Limavady United U21 | vs | PSNI Olympic |
| Lisburn Distillery U21 | vs | Ards Reserves |
| Warrenpoint Town Reserves | vs | Portadown Reserves |
In advance of the clash with Institute, these sorts of ‘days of football’, where the appetizer precedes the main course, is one that applies to certain niches of supporters – and, in this case, a tasty offering is on the menu.
Kick-off at Clandeboye Park this Saturday, September 2, is at 11am.
Featured image from Gary Carson.
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