Classy Cliftonville clinch Top Spot!!!
This was the second top of the table clash within the week in the NIWFA Davisons Frudles Championship between YMCA and Cliftonville and for the second time an electrifying contest but with a twist. Both teams had a lot to fight for this week as a victory for the Red’s would place them one point clear at the top of the Championship league or a result for YMCA would give them a convincing five point lead. A pleasant evening at Solitude was the perfect setting for what was being described undoubtedly as ‘the fixture of the season’ to date.
Both teams started off on a high with YMCA aiming for their target forward Avilla Bergin but the Cliftonville regular back four (McCarthy, Cromie, Kelly and Richardson) maintained a well controlled line to step up and result in her running offside on a number of occasions.
Rachael Cromie, as she has successfully done so repeatedly this season, played a precise diagonal long ball into the path of Louise Irvine to create the first real chance of the game. It was followed by a run of shooting opportunities for the Red’s but they failed to take advantage. Possession early on was shared between both teams but it was Cliftonville who looked to have more control on the game.
They were convincing keeping the ball on the green and when they lost possession worked tirelessly to close YMCA down.
Cliftonville’s hard work paid off on the 19th minute when a clever ball over the top from Irvine was superbly controlled by Marissa Callaghan and with composure she slotted past the YMCA goalkeeper. Directly from this YMCA reacted playing a forward ball into the path of Bergin but sharp positioning of Red’s shot stopper Angela Buckley ensured that she could sweep the edge of her box, diminishing any such chance for the visiting team.
The second goal followed 5 minutes later this time Louise Irvine latching on to a long ball clearance from the Red’s defence. Looking very sharp all evening Irvine was in for her second 2 minutes later poaching a loose ball directly in front of the keeper. Cliftonville were hungry for a result tonight and they certainly were displaying the character of a determined team.
YMCA appeared bewildered by the display of the Red Army and who could blame them. This was most certainly a different performance and nature of game compared to six days previous. They were finding it difficult when in possession to travel out of their own half and apply pressure on Cliftonville without a Red’s player battling against them.
It wasn’t long until Callaghan was finding the net for the second time in the game as she again showed sublime composure volleying the ball from close range. This opportunity arose after high pressure on the YMCA left back by Genevieve Hanna who had created a chance seconds before.
With the Red’s four nil ahead, one may have thought this game was finished but the YMCA ladies continued to work relentlessly hard to give themselves some hope of gaining something from this game.
From a corner they delivered a high ball to the back post where a group of players from both teams battled for a touch of the ball and it was YMCA who got the rewards of their first goal 11 minutes before the end of the first half.
It was a scrappy affair, however every goal counts and a similar occurrence happened as Cliftonville once again pushed forward and Lauren Gibson was the fortunate player getting the last touch in the six yard box to seal the 5th goal for the Red’s in the first half. The first half came to a close after Angela Buckley was called into play with a one on one with a YMCA player, coming out big, a top quality save was made with her feet to once again clear the pressure off the Red’s.
Half Time Score 5-1 Cliftonville.
It is a well known saying to never put a good team down, and this must have been the attitude of the YMCA ladies as they began the first half. Once again from a corner a high ball was delivered into the box and pounced upon by a YMCA player to give them their second of the evening.
But again, Cliftonville reacted with Nikki Carlin making an inspiring run through the congested midfield who then played a slick through ball into the path of Callaghan for her to achieve the first hat-trick of the evening. The second hat-trick for Cliftonville came 2 minutes later when Louise Irvine finished from close range.
YMCA could do nothing but watch some of the fantastic play and determination on display by the Red’s.
Martine Power had played a solid game in midfield all evening assisting Lauren Gibson and Nikki Carlin close down the YMCA ladies at every opportunity. A regular scorer for Cliftonville this season she got her rewards when her effort in this game, which could only be described a spectacular volley, blasted into the top left corner with precision.
With the game drawing to a close, the points sealed and Red’s Manager Rhoda Cassidy describing her team as having “played lovely football” changes were made.
Introduced were Nicola McCarthy and Kiera Moss for one of the hat-trick heroes Louise Irvine and Genevieve Hanna. The few minutes rest for these girls will hopefully revitalize them for the Red’s two scheduled games for next week.
However the Red’s were still finishing this game strong, staying in their opponents half for most of the remaining time on the clock. YMCA could only attempt to break down play but with composure and confidence the Red’s had two goals left to put away. The Goal scorer this time, Joey McCarthy (right back) who is always eager to push up the line to support the attacking players but not regarded a profound scorer!!! She certainly proved her team mates wrong not only scoring once, but twice from corners delivered by Callaghan.Final Score Cliftonville:10 YMCA: 2
This game certainly proved that the Davison’s Frudles Championship League has teams that could challenge with the best in the Premier league. Although YMCA had no answer to Cliftonville’s display tonight, the performance of both teams over the past two games demonstrates the quality of women’s football being played in Northern Ireland and not only in the highest division.
Report -: Tiarna McKenna Cliftonville Ladies
