The teenage rampage has carried the team straight to the top of their Division, promotion to Division Three now a formality – that is unless they suffer an Augusta horror! However, their Congressional awaits them!
Building a growing reputation as they cut their teeth in Division Four, surely it won’t be long before they establish themselves as one of the League’s genuine footballing sides.
Over the weeks Ryan McConville and James Feehan have shaped a very good football squad, despite the limited tests in their section. What they don’t find in their section they are sampling in the Coca Cola Irish Cup. And with knock-out punches against teams divisions above them – Crumlin United (Div.3), YMCA (Championship) and Cliftonville (Championship) – they are becoming, with respect to Herman’s Hermits, a must to avoid!
Tender they may be, but what a revelation they are, and in young Moya Feehan there is a striker with built-in radar for goals, motivated by the expectation of scoring every time she trots onto the field. Her two goals and one from Aoife Lennon in a stunning 3-1 eclipse of Cliftonville at Solitude was a marvelous feat that deservedly booked them a place in the last eight.
Another side on route to a higher division for the second year in succession, Valley Rangers, heaped more misery on Loughgall Lakers. The Division Two pacemakers, bound for even better times ahead, snapped up a maybe-not unexpected 2-0 win over the fragile Premier team. It was another pertinent performance by the Gers who, when they are in the mood, are a wonderful side to watch. Elaine Orr’s early penalty hit and Stefanie McCullough’s late strike sent Lakers limping out of the tournament.
Six Premier sides came into conflict, which automatically meant the disappearance of three. Spare a thought for a brilliant but unlucky Ballymena All-Stars who suffered an agonising experience at Seaview. The Antrim ladies came so close to producing the shock of the round, indeed of the Cup, as they led mighty Crues 2-1 going into the final minute. But they allowed the ever-dangerous Helen McKenna to make a late move and she sent the tie into extra time. Earlier Rebecca Boyce’s double had overshadowed Sarah Booth’s goal, but the Strikers made the most of their good fortune, and goals from Nadine Murphy and Lynsay Patterson, erased an o.g for Ballymoney, the favourites more than glad to go through 4-3.
Glentoran’s expulsion of Newbridge Predators was a more clinical exercise. Not surprisingly the holders’ first defence of their trophy was a stroll in the park, a 6-2 win that keeps in line with the unremitting performances they have being turning in all season. And once again the untamable Cathy O’Hagan was to the fore of the Glens’ success, hitting a hat-trick, her third of the season. Demi Vance, Makyla Mulholland and Kelly Bailie picked up the remainder. Julieanne McCann and Hannah Grattan tucked away the consolation goals for Predators.
Derry City’s hopes of ambushing Premier side YMCA were destroyed on the end of a 2-0 scoreline. Simone Magill made sure her team wasn’t among the Coca Cola Cup dead, wounding City with a wonder goal that eased concern and platformed YMCA’s triumph. Derry’s bold run was ended by Adele Gillespie’s rocket free that flew into the net.
Sion Swifts could have been picked off by Craigavon City, but the Division Three title fighters never allowed their Division Four opponents a whiff. Lauren Brennan’s sharpshooting skills again captured the attention, the goal ace smacking in four in a 9-1 destruction of the visitors. She was joined by Louise Coyle (2), Kelly Crompton (2) and Zara O’Hagan.
1st Bangor have been turning in deceptive performances lately, catching the eye with their winning run. They kept it up in their all Division Two meeting with Portadown Integrated, 4-1, thanks to a superb Hannah Sheffield hat-trick and an Emma Piper goal.
Report -: Sammy Martin
