Seanna Speaks
by Lewis Bennett | Sunday, 17th September 2023

Right wing-back Seanna Foster felt a draw was a fair reflection of the contest between Harland and Wolff Welders and Bangor on Saturday.

The defender also credited the Seasiders’ resolve at the back and cited a fourth clean sheet in seven league matches as a key fulcrum behind how the team can taste success this term.

Foster was speaking following a goalless draw in east Belfast between the sides who started the day third and fourth in the table, but neither could make a decisive dent in the scoreline that could have laid full claim to the three points.

The Welders’ Matthew Ferguson had the ball in the net in the first half but had celebrations cut short due to an offside in the build-up, while Ben Arthurs seared through for the black-and-white-kitted visitors during the second period only to agonisingly place wide with just goalkeeper Michael Argyrides to beat. It was a day on which the defences ruled, and 0-0 aptly showcased a tightly-knit duel.

Manager Lee Feeney was dealt a late blow when captain Lewis Harrison was sent off on 90 minutes – he picked up a second yellow card for a high boot having been earlier sanctioned just before half-time – in a decision that aggrieved supporters. Thankfully, it was not to prove more costly as the Seagulls held their nerve until the final whistle.

Foster, who played his fourth match since being recruited for a second season on loan from Cliftonville, believes a positive reaction after a slow start was an important factor en route to a share of the spoils.

“Obviously we started the game very slow and it took us to half-time to regroup and get back into the game and do what we’re good at, so as well as we got to 15 minutes (of the second half) and we pushed on from there. Both teams threw everything they had at each other and no one could put the ball in the back of the net at the end of the day. That’s what the game’s all about, to get three points, and no one could do it, so yeah, I’d say a draw’s a fair result. You’re looking at positives, we’d that much chances and we just couldn’t put one in the net, but you look at the other side, we didn’t concede as well which is a big positive. Keeping clean sheets is massive and that’s what won us titles last year.”