NIWFA Davisons Championship Cup.
St Matthews Ladies 6 v Downpatrick Ladies 5
Cup ties should be exhilarating, passionate and intense this one didn’t disappoint; current Division 1 cup holders and newly promoted Downpatrick Ladies showed no fear of their established Championship rivals St. Matthews in what was to prove a game of exceptionally high standards with both teams producing free flowing football in another high scoring game.
Following the 10 goal league thriller earlier in the season which St. Matthews won 6-4 and with the return league fixture next week and both teams languishing at the foot of the Championship table more than pride was at stake with both teams setting out their stall early on with the mantra for this game being attack, attack, attack.
Following a nervous opening start the game settled when St Matthews scored through Rachel Rogan, this seemed to calm and focus both teams and it wasn’t long before Downpatrick equalised with a strike from the halfway line from Charlene Kelly! Xabi Alonso would have been proud of it!
As both teams pressed for advantage it was Downpatrick who took the lead. With man of the match Kyla Trainor dominating in the midfield with powerful runs through the St. Matt’s defence and Charlene Kelly running things at the back Downpatrick appeared in control.
St. Matthews weren’t taking it lying down with Lauren Sykes starting to show her silky skills on the wing and Aine Flynn and Charlene Brown getting to grips with the Downpatrick midfielders it was St. Matthews who struck next to draw level and then go infront. But two quick goals in the space of two minutes from Downpatrick had them back in front at half time.
The second half started at frenetic pace both teams having opportunities and this was to be the tale of the half. St. Matthews equalised and went then ahead through Aine Flynn who was having a personal battle with Kirsty Carling in the Downpatrick nets; bringing of some of the saves of the season. With both teams working hard and looking for the win spaces started to open up Lauren Sykes delivering some beautiful crosses into the box but lack of support for Rachel Rogan meant the chances were missed, whilst at the other end Tracey McGarry was running herself ragged and except for the endeavours of Nikki Pauley would have been rewarded on a few occasions.
Eventually Downpatrick were rewarded with an equaliser and it appeared both teams were resigned to extra time; then Charlene Kelly with her first mistake of the game lost control of the ball in the box, it fell to Rachel Rogan who controlled it and as Charlene stuck out a tired leg she brought Rachel down, the ref pointed for a penalty and despite the protests from the sideline Danielle McNally coolly slotted home from the spot with 5 minutes to go.
Downpatrick immediately went up the field looking for an equaliser and in do or die defending Natalie Gorman appeared to suffer a serious knee injury and I’m sure everyone will wish her well in her recovery. Downpatrick continued to push to the end but St. Matthews held on despite the onslaught to progress. If the return league fixture next week delivers have the quality or passion of this match it should be a cracker.
Teams
St. Matthews Ladies – Karen Barnes, Natalie Gorman, Danielle McNally (1), Nikki Pauley, Fiona Cushey, Charlene Brown, Teresa Mallon, Aine Flynn (1), Maria Sykes (1), Lauren Walker (1) Rachel Rogan (2). Subs Lindsay Duff, Julie Ann Cummings and Shauna McKeever
Downpatrick Ladies – Kirsty Carling, Shirley Telford, Charlene Kelly (1), Linda Carling, Emma Fitzsimmons, Kerry Fisher, Kyla Trainor (2), Siobhan Polly, Claire Morgan, Tracey McGarry (2), Donna-Marie Carson. Subs Lisa O’Donnell, Deborah Shields, Ellie Zych
Report -: A Freethinker
