By Lewis Bennett
AMBER Dempster admitted Bangor FC Ladies were disappointed not to return to winning ways following last week’s defeat to St James’ Swifts Ladies.
After a 4-0 reverse away to league leaders Ballymena United Women, the Seasiders looked to get back in their stride against the second-placed Swifts but were unable to do so with a 3-2 loss at Clandeboye Park.
Facing a double-header against sides with 100 per cent records in the NIWFA Championship prior to kick-off, it was always going to be a tall order for the Yellows but there were plenty more positives to take in last Wednesday’s encounter when Dempster struck a brace against her former club.
The Northern Ireland Futsal international opened the scoring on seven minutes with a smart finish into the bottom left corner after she caught sight of goalkeeper Leah Heaney off her line.
The west Belfast side hit back through Chloe Doak and Siobhan Bell to lead at half-time but Dempster replied 10 minutes after the interval, collecting Jodie Shannon’s ball over the top before knocking past Heaney and fending off several recovering defenders to power home an equaliser.
It didn’t last, though, as Bell’s penalty on 59 minutes ultimately settled matters and ensured a pulsating contest ended with St James’ picking up all three points.
Hometown hero Dempster, who also rattled the underside of the bar during the first half, conceded that while there were plenty of green shoots, Bangor were left frustrated not to have something to show for their efforts as they look to rediscover their winning touch.
“I can imagine it was a good watch for the neutral as the game was end-to-end,” she said.
“We were naturally disappointed to not come away with the three points after being 1-0 up fairly early on.
“We have a lot of new faces in this year so it is just taking a little while for everything to click, although there were glimmers of it tonight so we’re excited to see how we progress further throughout the season.”
Two of those new faces Dempster refers to made their debuts last Wednesday, with forward players Olivia Marshall and Aimee Stewart in from the start having arrived from Civil Service Ladies recently.
Busy midfielder Stewart (21) made an instant impact, teeing up Dempster’s opener with a well-placed ball in behind, while Marshall (22) – who scored twice for Civil Service against Bangor last July – shone with her wing play throughout.
Former Linfield and Cliftonville markswoman Dempster lauded the pair and believes they can weave more magic in the weeks ahead.
“Both Aimee and Olivia are excellent additions to our squad and they have slotted right in.
“I’m excited to see how we all gel after a few weeks of training,” the 32-year-old added.
On her own goalscoring feats, Dempster has already hit the 20-goal mark for the season in just her ninth appearance this term and is closing in on a century of goals since her Bangor arrival in 2023.
She has 85 so far and is already more than halfway to matching her total of 39 last year, so it’s no wonder she wants to continue producing the goods in front of goal as best she can.
“I’m up to 20 goals now and it’s been a good start to the season for me personally.
“I’m only three ahead in the race for league top goalscorer though, so it will be tight.”
Following last night’s game with Sion Swifts Ladies at the Ryan McBride Brandywell, Bangor will take a three-week break from Championship action and switch their focus to the cups for a while.
Chris Dougan’s side face a tricky test against Ballymena in the first round of the IFA’s blue-riband Women’s Challenge Cup on Friday, June 6 at Clandeboye Park before travelling to face Holywood FC Ladies on Monday, June 9 in the first round of the County Antrim Cup.
The Seasiders’ next league outing is a trip to Paddy’s Park in Dervock when they take on newly-promoted Ballymoney United Ladies on Wednesday, June 11.
