It was a night of home comforts in the North West Super League as Fanad United, Greencastle, Lagan Harps and Carndonagh all won on home soil.
Fanad United 1 Illies Celtic
Fanad United Ladies maintained their 100 per cent start to the North West Women’s Super League with a 1-0 victory over reigning champions Illies Celtic at Traigh-a-Loch on Thursday evening.
Both teams attacked from the start without creating many clear cut chances.
The first chance of the half arrived on the half hour mark when Zoe Green swung in a dangerous free kick form the left and Amanda Callaghan seen her shot well saved by Sarah Parker.
Ten minutes later Fanad came agonisingly close to opening the scoring.
Roisin McElwaine broke from the back and her defence splitting pass found Julie Trearty who hit the angle of the post and crossbar.
Three minutes later Lisa Friel was unlucky to see her shot from 20 yards go just wide of the Illies post.
Illies Celtic
Ten minutes into the second half, Illies forced a succession of corners and from one of these, the ball broke to Noreen Doherty on the edge of the box but she was unable to keep her shot down and it went over the bar. Both teams enjoyed spells of possession with both defences excellent.
Fanad finally broke the deadlock with ten minutes remaining. When they were awarded a free kick out on the left, Lauren Carr stepped up and her shot found it’s way into the bottom corner.
Illies pushed forward after the goal and put Fanad under great pressure. This pressure almost paid off with 4 minutes to go when Alana Doherty fired over the bar when well placed.
Player of the match goes to Julie Trearty who worked tirelessly up front for Fanad
Fanad United: Orla McGonigle, Natasha McElwaine, Zoe Green, Eimear Sweeney, Niamh McDevitt, Lisa Friel, Amanda Callaghan, Lauren Carr, Julie Trearty, Hannah Shiels, Laura Dugera. Sub: Roisn McElwaine
Illies Celtic: Sarah Parker, Claire Doherty, Deirdre Grant, Noreen Doherty, Caroline Gallagher, Aisling Gillespie, Teresa Marie Coyle, Dionne McLaughlin, Alana Doherty, Aisling McDaid. Subs used: Nicole Adnir, Brianna Doherty.
Referee: Liam McLaughlin
Greencastle FC 2 Bonagee United 1
A brace from Republic of Ireland underage international Kerry Brown saw Greencastle edge a cracking contest with Bonagee United at Chapel Lane.
Paddy Keys’ team came from behind to overcome Bonagee and earn their second win on the trot.
Following a big win over Moville a week earlier, this win maintains their excellent start to the season.
In a game that could have swung either way, Brown’s double made the difference.
Bonagee had taken the lead on 37 minutes when Alice Diver scored a wonder goal for the Dry Arch side.
The ball fell to Diver 25 yards from goal and, after teeing it up with the first touch, a dipping half-volley flew beyond the reach of Sarah Faulkner.
Chantelle Grant had an earlier effort chalked out for an offside infringement and Grant saw another fine attempt, after good link-work on the right by Julie McCloy and Siobhan Sweeney, rise just over the top.
Brown, though, was always a danger and had already fired a warning across the Bonagee brows when she drew the hosts level late in the half.
Bonagee didn’t clear their lines from a set piece and Brown seized on it in a flash to steer home.
Brown had been shackled by Leona Russell for the opening chapter before being changed and it was Brown who weaved her way in for what proved to be the match winner. Brown danced in from the left channel and shot low past the despairing dive of Clare Friel.
With Claire Orr a threat for Bonagee, the visitors, who were down a few of their big guns, the game was in the melting pot until the conclusion, but Greencastle held on to make a statement of their intent for the season ahead of a crunch clash with Illies next week.
Greencastle FC: Sarah Faulkner, Breena Diver, Kathy McLaughlin, Ellen Hegarty, Danielle McLaughlin, Danielle Barr, Eilish Havlin, Eimear McLaughlin, Shona Kelly, Shannon McDonald, Kerry Brown. Subs: Connie Price, Georgia Rudden, Melissa McDermott.
Bonagee United: Clare Friel, Maria Carr, Amy Thompson, Leona Russell, Siobhan Sweeney, Chantelle Grant, Niamh McCarthy, Claire Orr, Alice Diver, Julie McCloy. Subs: Suzanne Gordon, Coilín Hume.
Referee: Eamon Doherty.
Lagan Harps 7 Moville Celtic 2
Lagan were first to attack with a long ball by Orla Boyle which found Amy Boyd racing away but Moville’s keeper Lisa Burns made a great save.
With 10 minutes on the clock Lagan were caught on the counter attack with Caitlin Davenport link up with Emily Ryan who finished well putting Moville one ahead.
Lagan equalised with good combination play from Casey Barrett, send Aoife Page on a run down the left who delivered an excellent cross and Amy Boyd finished the move with a great header into the net.
Lagan extended the lead on 30 minutes with a lovely through ball by Nadine Crawford to Danielle McDevitt who slotted the ball past the advancing keeper.
Bronagh Gallagher put Lagan 3-1 ahead going in at the break.
Moville refreshed for the second half caught Lagan sleeping with a great move between Aisling McGuinness and Emma McGinley, with a change of play to Erin Coyle who hit a thunderous shot past Neve Scanlan in the Lagan goal.
Chantel McCauley raced down the right and could have got the equaliser only for a good block by Catherine Grier.
Amy Boyd got two quick goals to extend the lead for Lagan.
Holly Cannon and Emma Toye worked well to set Bronagh Gallagher up for her second.
Heather Dougherty rounded off the scoring of Lagan with a great turn in the box and fired low into the bottom corner.
Best for Lagan were Nadine Crawford, Chantel Kelly and Danielle McDevitt, with Collen McEllroy, Gemma McLaughlin and Andrea McConneque impressing for Moville
RESULTS
Fanad United 1 Illies Celtic 0
Greencastle FC 2 Bonagee United 1
Lagan Harps 7 Moville Celtic 2
Carndonagh 5 Clonmany Shamrocks 3
FIXTURES
Thursday, May 17, 7.30pm
Lagan Harps v Fanad United
Carndonagh FC v Moville Celtic
Bonagee United v Clonmany Shamrocks
Illies Celtic v Greencastle FC
