By Lewis Bennett
AMBER Dempster reflected on a season of highs and lows after Bangor FC Ladies signed off their 2025 NIWFA Championship campaign with a spirited comeback win over Ballymoney United Women at Clandeboye Park last week.
The Seasiders were determined to finish with a flourish after four straight defeats and did just that against the north Antrim side, prevailing 3-2 courtesy of second-half strikes from Dempster, Olivia Marshall and Lydia Clarke.
Aine McAlister had put Ballymoney ahead nine minutes before the interval but, though the same player restored parity at 2-2 after Dempster and Marshall’s finishes either side of the hour mark had tipped the scales back in Bangor’s favour, Clarke had the final say with a stunning strike 10 minutes from time.
It was a happy ending for Chris Dougan and his charges, who finished in sixth place with 30 points from their 18 league games, and Dempster believes the foundations are in place for the Yellows to savour greater success going forward.
“Looking back at the season as a whole, it was a season of ups and downs,” the hometown hero said.
“There were some frustrating games and some where we were outstanding.
“We had a lot of new girls come in this season, so I think we’ve laid some really good foundations for next season and we’re really excited to get back at it already – even though this season’s literally just finished.
“We got Sarah Crooks back partway through the season and we have Erin Hennity and Teah Morton back in training, so it’s great to have these girls come back in and bring their experience in and help the younger ones.
“In saying that, a lot of the younger ones really stepped up to the plate this year and have been fantastic. They’ve learned from everybody, they’ve worked hard and they thoroughly deserve the minutes that they’ve got.”
On the game itself, former Linfield Women and Cliftonville Ladies goalgetter Dempster paid tribute to Bangor’s resilience to fight back and claim the maximum spoils on home turf.
“I think the girls battled really well. Going 1-0 down, we showed real character to come back,” she added.
“It was a great team performance all round, and their goalkeeper pulled off some amazing saves, too, so we were quite unlucky not to get more in the end.
“But it was a real test of our character and a true testament to the girls and especially the subs who came on and really gave us another level. We are happy to get the three points and see out the season.”
There was further cause for celebration for the ladies at the end-of-season awards on Saturday night. Dempster unsurprisingly scooped up the Top Goalscorer accolade for a third consecutive campaign, netting 34 across all competitions, while the 32-year-old also took home the Manager’s and Fans’ Player of the Year prizes.
Young stopper Amy Wignall received the Most Improved Player of the Year award, while Francesca Costa claimed the Players’ Player of the Year gong and winger Emi Wynne was named the Young Player of the Year for the second season running.
As for the NIWFA Championship as a whole, Craigavon City Ladies will be the new team in the league for the 2026 season having claimed the NIWFA Division One title this campaign and gained promotion as a result.
Find the full story in this week’s Spectator.
