Northern Ireland Women's Football Association

Match Report

Newbridge Predators 1 Crusaders Newtownabbey Strikers 8
21 April 2010
By Katie Liston

Spectators at yesterday evening’s match between Newbridge Predators and Crusaders Newtownabbey Strikers enjoyed a highly competitive fixture that featured scintillating passages of play by Crusaders, matched by some excellent individual performances from Newbridge.

The final scoreline of 8-1 to Crusaders belied a tight contest in the first half in which Newbridge were first to draw blood after 12 minutes. A long ball over the top deceived the Crusaders defence and Alex Ogle was quick to pounce on the opportunity to inject some confidence into the home team and their vocal supporters. To counteract the increasing influence of Newbridge’s dangerous strike team of Wendy Bailie and Alex Ogle, Crusaders responded with some positional changes which had a crucial role to play in negating Newbridge’s midfield led notably by Ashleigh McKee and their attacking two, thereby enabling them to create a platform from which they never looked back for the remainder of the game.

These changes paid off in the 26th minute when a concerted build-up by Crusaders from the left wing culminated in a wonderful strike by their captain, Nadine Murphy, from outside the box to make it 1-1 at half time. The first half also featured a high count of attempts on goal by Crusaders (12 in total, 8 of which were on target) while Newbridge maintained the pressure on the visitors with two well created goal attempts, both of which were also on target. Crusaders coach, Billy Wylie’s, words of wisdom at half time gave his team more focus which paid off with a one-sided second half in which they scored seven goals to no reply by Newbridge, four of which occurred in an eight minute scintillating spell. However, this was not before Crusaders were made to defend two early goal attempts by Newbridge in the opening minutes of the second half. Once the deft-footed left winger Nicole Connolly scored for Crusaders from an assist by Danielle McDowell at 61 minutes, they went on to score three more in quick succession (Danielle McDowell, 66mins; Helen McKenna, 67 and 69 mins), thereby ending what was a highly competitive tie until that point.

Further goals were added by Sara Booth (75 mins), Mc Dowell (85 mins) and McKenna (87 mins). This was Crusaders second win from two games which puts them in joint first position at the top of the league table with arch rivals Glentoran Belfast United after week two. If this match was representative of the current state of progress at the top tier of the women’s game in Northern Ireland, then it was certainly pleasing to see referee, Lorraine Moreland, maintain a firm and fair hand on proceedings and female coaches to the fore on the coaching staff of both teams. Crusaders next match is scheduled at home against YMCA Ladies who have one point from two games and for whom Kendra McMullan leads their goalscoring. If Crusaders continue their current form, it promises to be another entertaining game. Date, 28 April, kick-off 7.30pm, Seaview.

Crusaders Newtownabbey Team: Angela Platt, Stephanie Dickinson (Rebecca Corish, 79 mins), Sara Booth (Roisin McFeely, 75 mins), Julie Nelson, Elaine Roden, Lynsey Patterson, Nadine Murphy, Danielle McDowell, Nicole Connolly, Helen McKenna, Emma McMurray (Claire Carson, 53 mins).

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