SENIOR 2
SAINTFIELD LADIES 1
BANGOR LADIES 4
BANGOR cemented their place at the top of Senior League 2 with an assured performance on the road to Saintfield.
The Seasiders took control early in the first half with Zoe Stewart winning a short corner and Brooke Stranaghan picking out the bottom left corner to set the tone for the afternoon. The second goal soon followed, with schoolgirl Anna Gowdy impressing as she set up Stewart to finish smartly after a beautiful sequence of passing created by the team up the pitch.
Buoyed by that strong start, Hannah Grant combined well with Stranaghan to help the forward claim her second, before Stranaghan completed an excellent hat-trick with another open-play finish, this time assisted by Zara McKee.
It was arguably the best display of passing and teamwork seen from this young Bangor side so far, highlighting how much they are growing and developing as the season progresses.
Defensively, Bangor were once again resolute, marshalled superbly by captain Amber Dempster. The home side managed a late consolation in the final quarter, but it did little to disrupt a composed and commanding Bangor display.
JUNIOR 7
BANGOR LADIES THIRDS 2
BANBRIDGE LADIES FOURTHS 0
A GOAL in each half secured maximum points for Bangor Ladies Thirds against Junior 7 bottom side Banbridge on Saturday.
From the opening whistle, Bangor asserted control. The first quarter saw relentless pressure as they forced several short corners and tested the Banbridge defence with a series of shots on goal. Bangor’s attacking intent kept Banbridge pinned deep, though the breakthrough initially proved elusive.
Late in the first quarter, Banbridge went close to taking the lead when they broke free from a quick counter-attack and a shot cannoned off the post.
The close call sparked Bangor back into sharp focus. Defender Vic Gray reacted quickly, collecting possession and sending a precise long ball upfield to forward Daisy Forbes. Forbes showed pace and composure down the baseline before delivering a perfectly weighted pass into the circle, where Hattie Stephens was waiting to finish clinically.
Bangor continued to dominate throughout the second and third quarters, controlling possession and territory. Their midfield worked tirelessly to maintain pressure, but despite creating opportunities, they were unable to add to their tally as Banbridge tightened defensively and held firm.
In the final quarter, Banbridge appeared to tire, allowing Bangor midfielder Ann Quinn more freedom to dictate play. Linking superbly once again with Forbes, Bangor’s attacking pair caused problems for the Banbridge defence, culminating in Forbes finding the net to secure Bangor’s second goal and put the result beyond doubt.
Ann Quinn and Daisy Forbes were deservedly named players of the match for their influential performances in midfield and attack. Sophia Farrington and Anna McDermott both played well on their respective debuts for the team.
