The Playr-Fit Championship season may be merely half a dozen matchdays old, however the thrills and spills conjured up by the league have been well and truly plentiful as we approach the middle of September. In a weekend that features a first-against-second duel at Inver Park between Newington and Dundela, as well as somewhat of a derby match out west between Ballinamallard United and Institute, Bangor’s latest exploit sees them make the short trip to east Belfast as Harland and Wolff Welders await with bared teeth.
It feels finely poised, given that these two adversaries are the highest-positioned of the 10-point teams – of which there are five – and both will be eager to boost their standing in the table, with an opportunity to make ground on those below. These are the most dizzying heights the Seasiders have been at for a long time, and as they enter on the back of a recent run of impressive form, Lee Feeney can be sure his players will have an added fire.
Third-versus-fourth battle as Seasiders bid to stretch unbeaten streak to five
For a second weekend in succession, a road trip is on the agenda for Bangor – albeit this Saturday comes a little closer to home.
Following last week’s resounding 3-0 success away to Fermanagh establishment Ballinamallard United, east Belfast is the next port of call for the Seasiders.
Lee Feeney and his charges face Harland and Wolff Welders in a tantalising third-versus-fourth battle at Blanchflower Park, hoping to extend a four-game unbeaten streak that comprises three victories – against the Mallards and Portadown in the Playr-Fit Championship, and Ballyclare Comrades in the County Antrim Shield last-16.
The quotes section:
“I was delighted with both of them, the two frontmen; Adam Neale as well, who set Ben up for a few chances, but their work-rate was unbelievable. When you’re a defender and you see your frontmen working like that, no matter if you’re two or three down, you’ll always have a chance and you’ll feel you have a chance” – Bangor boss Lee Feeney hailed the impact of Adam Neale (pictured) and Ben Arthurs after the 4-2 victory over Ballyclare. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
And with 10 points out of a possible 18, the stakes already feel high at what is still an early stage of the season.
The Yellows are locked in a five-way tie on that points total, with Annagh United, Ballyclare Comrades and Institute the others among the pack, and the two teams with the best goal difference in that camp lock horns.
The season so far:
- 5/8/23 – Ballyclare Comrades 3-2 Bangor (McGrandles OG, McArthur)
- 11/8/23 – Bangor 1-0 Ards (A. Neale)
- 18/8/23 – Bangor 1-2 Dundela (Arthurs)
- 25/8/23 – Portadown 0-1 Bangor (McArthur)
- 2/9/23 – Bangor 1-1 Institute (Francis)
- 5/9/23 – Bangor 4-2 Ballyclare Comrades (Arthurs x4)
- 9/9/23 – Ballinamallard United 0-3 Bangor (Arthurs, Cushnie x2)
Third-place at this early phase certainly would look a presentable return, with Dundela and Newington – who meet at the ‘Ton’s adopted home of Inver Park in a top-two shoot-out – leading the race on 15 points each but knowing firmly that their lead is not unassailable.
Bangor will be keen to reap the benefits.
Six days ago, the most collateral damage was done at the start and end points of the game.
Within just four minutes, Ben Arthurs curled home a delightful deadlock-breaker from Reece Neale’s inch-perfect long ball, while substitute Ben Cushnie delivered a double dagger to firmly lock down the three points at Ferney Park.
Set-up for the season:
There was perhaps a feeling of relief for Reece Neale, as the Bangor vice-captain registered his first assist of the season by providing a long ball in the build-up to Ben Arthurs’ opener. With six goals and 15 set-ups, the reversion of Neale to his usual left wing-back position could see his stats take a familiar hike again. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
Learning shortly after the full-time whistle that Irish League champions Larne would entertain them in the Shield quarter-finals, the squad’s inner fire merely brightened at the prospect of tackling the competition’s four-peat chasers on their own home turf on Tuesday, October 10. When you are winning games, you feel you can take on anyone and everyone.
And that is certainly the attitude right now. Carrying that into this weekend’s encounter will surely boost their chances of booking three more points.
The Welders are no mugs, though. Not at all.
While they fell to defeat at Institute last Saturday and were bested in a Shield penalty shoot-out against Ballymacash Rangers – Bangor could yet face them should they stun the Invermen and reach the semi-finals of the 135-year-old tournament – they will be determined to return to winning ways, which their record to date proves they are capable of.
Paul Kee’s men came from behind to beat Ballinamallard on the opening day, falling to a 2-0 deficit before surging back with four unanswered goals in the final half-hour to ensure their exploits began on a high.
They followed that up with a 2-0 victory away to Newington, making them the only side to take points off the green-shirted outfit to date, and then edged fancied Portadown by a goal to nil at the start of September.
There is a resilience within the camp, but Kee will also be aware that late goal concessions cost them points against Ards – Callum Dougan hit an 89th-minute leveller – and Dergview, who snatched all three points at the death courtesy of Padraig Lynch’s last-gasp winner.
It goes without saying that rectifying such an aspect of their game will be among the leading bullet points on the manager’s agenda.
The form book (Playr-Fit Championship):
- 12/8/23 – Newington 0-2 Harland and Wolff Welders
- 19/8/23 – Harland and Wolff Welders 2-3 Dergview
- 26/8/23 – Ards 1-1 Harland and Wolff Welders
- 2/9/23 – Harland and Wolff Welders 1-0 Portadown
- 9/9/23 – Institute 2-1 Harland and Wolff Welders
Kee, who counts Institute, Ballymena United and Omagh Town as former employers in a distinguished managerial career, has overseen a spirited turnaround in fortunes.
This time last year, the Welders appeared on a crash course for a relegation battle, but after hiring the 56-year-old as Gary Smyth’s successor in September 2022, a New Year’s wish came as a flying start to 2023 instead made the fight more for a top-six berth rather than the drop.
Man in the hotseat:
Since taking charge of Harland and Wolff Welders two weeks shy of a year ago, the club’s fortunes have been transformed since Paul Kee‘s arrival in east Belfast. Having been in a relegation battle up to the end of 2022, they entered this term as a dark horse for promotion and are living up to that billing as they sit third-place in the Championship table. Image from Belfast Telegraph.
A sensational start to the year, which included knock-out blows to Premiership teams Newry City and Glenavon in the Irish Cup – indeed, they kept Larne scoreless for most of their last-eight encounter, and were only broken down when Andy Ryan twisted the knife in second-half added-time – was not quite to see them land that place among the top-half clubs, but seventh-place was still a world away from where they were just a few short months prior.
It also served as a base to build from, no less than when you consider their attacking arsenal.
The season summary: Harland and Wolff Welders (2022-23):
- Position: seventh-place
- Ground: Blanchflower Park, east Belfast
- Points: 55
- Goals for: 69
- Goals against: 65
- Top scorer: Matthew Ferguson (26)
- Manager: Paul Kee (since September 27, 2022)
Matthew Ferguson, son of the legendary Linfield and Glenavon goal-getter Glenn ‘Spike’ Ferguson, bagged 26 Championship goals last term to prove his father’s instincts have passed on naturally through the family.
Player spotlight:
Harland and Wolff Welders striker Matthew Ferguson has been through all the motions. Following two years sidelined with a serious knee injury, the ex-Ballymena and Distillery man rebounded with a vengeance last term and scored goals at a rate of knots to propel his side up the table. He already has three to start this term on a flyer, although is hoping to end a dry spell of five games without a finish. Image from NIFL website.
He has been joined by experienced campaigner Michael McLellan in the goal stakes – he has four goals in less than 300 minutes of league football to date this term – while crafty Jonny Frazer retains his creative instincts and has brought Premiership pedigree with Crusaders and Glentoran into the fray.
Joining them are younger stars like Oisin Barr, Jack Kinner and summer arrivals such as Ewan McCoubrey, Joshua Kee, Lewis Patterson and Lewis Barr.
Stat attack:
Harland and Wolff Welders, owing its name to the Harland and Wolff shipbuilding and fabrication company whose location is distinguishable from the two large yellow cranes, Samson and Goliath, that dominate Belfast’s skyline, were founded in 1965. The club crest bears the cranes and the Harland and Wolff company logo, while the yellow-and-black-striped shirt also carries the institution’s colour coding into the football club. Located just a few hundred metres up the road from their Blanchflower Park home is Dundela’s Wilgar Park, making the clubs local rivals.
Big-name capture David Parkhouse’s debut in the yellow and black shirt remains as eagerly anticipated as ever, while a familiar face could also feature in the form of Jamie Glover.
Bangor fans know all about him. And fondly so.
That wicked effort in last season’s Steel and Sons Cup semi-final is a memory for life; one of six strikes that the versatile 22-year-old registered throughout 33 appearances last term to add to two assists.
There is enough quality there for Feeney to be wary of.
And, as is always the case, the Kilkeel supremo will demand the best of his charges when they take the turf.
They are headed to one of the Irish League’s most modern venues.
The state of play:
It is almost two years since the grand opening of Blanchflower Park, with this being the first time every that Bangor will take to one of the Irish League’s newest hotspots. Having also risen to become the premier artificial turf in east Belfast, its popularity is not a shock. Image from myself.
Having moved on from Tillysburn Park in October 2021, the Blanchflower was a £6million development that also regularly plays host to South Belfast Youth League Finals and has hosted under-age Northern Ireland international fixtures. It is where the Welders have sought to mount their top-flight progression; all eyes are on the prize to try and do this.
Riding the crest of a wave in an unpredictable league, though, Bangor will back themselves.
| Playr-Fit Championship | Matchday Seven (16/9/23) | |
| Ards | vs | Dergview |
| Ballinamallard United | vs | Institute |
| Ballyclare Comrades | vs | Annagh United |
| Harland and Wolff Welders | vs | Bangor |
| Knockbreda | vs | Portadown |
| Newington | vs | Dundela |
With Arthurs having hit five goals last week, including his first senior four-goal haul against Ballyclare, the Kircubbin man will be out to keep the good times rolling having shot to the top of the finishing leaderboard on six strikes.
Stat attack:
The goalkeeping record of James Taylor in league play really is something to behold. In 28 appearances in that context since he joined Bangor last summer, he has kept a phenomenal 17 clean sheets, with only three goals conceded in his five matches to date this term. That works out in percentage terms at a 60.7% shut-out rate.
Adam Neale, conversely, will aim to boost his tally having scored just the once to date, while Cushnie’s brace in wet and murky Ballinamallard was his first two competitive finishes since arriving on loan from Glentoran. Scott McArthur and centre-back Lewis Francis have also came up trumps with point-salvaging goals, contributing against Portadown and Institute respectively and reflect their value to the team.
A collective spirit exists within the playing fold and, with Seanna Foster (two), Ben Walker, Reece Neale and Dylan O’Kane registering assists in the past fortnight, the full expanse of Bangor’s creative ranks has been availed of.
A whole collective effort:
The combination between Dylan O’Kane and Ben Cushnie for a sublime third goal against Ballinamallard last week carried added significance. Namely, O’Kane became the eighth Bangor player already to register an assist, while Cushnie netted twice for his first brace of competitive goals in his new colours. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
Foster’s return for a second season on loan from Cliftonville has seen the 26-year-old pick up where he left off, with set-ups for Francis’ 97th-minute equaliser versus Institute and Arthurs’ hat-trick goal against the Comrades. Walker set up the second of his fabulous quartet, while the younger Neale and O’Kane contributed tee-ups from more central areas in Fermanagh.
There has not been a game this term where Bangor have failed to create chances.
And with it being a whole team effort, applying that same clinical edge to match such supply from the centre or flanks will warm Feeney’s heart.
Reserves face Limavady and set sights on maintaining early-season goal flow
Meanwhile, Bangor Reserves’ point of focus remains on the league this coming Saturday.
David Downes takes his team to the north west, where Limavady United pose as opposition to the Seasiders on a long away day.
Having won their first two matches by an aggregate score of 16-0 – they firstly conquered Ballymacash Rangers with a six-goal haul before putting 10 into the PSNI net last Friday – there is no shortage of heart or spirit from the Under-20s, who will aim to make it three on the spin at the Limavady Showgrounds.
The impressive form offered across all areas of the pitch, with the defence holding two shut-outs and the forward ranks creating and scoring chances at will, has inspired firm belief within Downes, assistant Ian Boal and the whole squad that they can challenge for first-place in an expanded 15-team division this term.
That said, with only two out of a possible 28 fixtures fulfilled, the outlook will be to take it one game at a time and put points on the board.
Hence, the determination is set to be as strong as ever to prise three points away from the blue-shirted institution.
Kick-off in Limavady on Saturday, September 16, is at 11:30am.
Featured image from Sarah Harkness.
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