IFA Coca Cola Cup 3rd Round Match
In perhaps their best display ever Valley Rangers Ladies defeated Loughgall Lakers of the Premier League in this 3rd round IFA Coca Cola Cup tie on Monday 20th by two goals to nil.
Valley took the initiative early on creating the first opportunity in the 6th minute Amy Burden feeding Anna Cunningham whose shot was saved by Leanne Simpson. Janice Willis linked with Emma Harper in the visitors first attack but nothing occurred. The home side took the lead in the 14th minute Anna Cunningham having been fouled, Elaine Orr netted from a superbly taken free kick.
Sabrina Campbell and Emma Harper linked only to be denied by Lyn Johnston’s tackle, before Stacey Hamilton fed Gayle Davidson whose shot was saved by Suzanne McCullough.
In the 25th minute Stefanie McCullough, Amy Burden, Elaine Orr, Anna Cunningham, Kerry Graham and Orr again carved out another opportunity, Simpson saving Orr’s shot. The fitness of both sides was never in doubt as all continued to give 100%. In the latter stages of the half Valley held sway their shots, in the main failing to test Simpson until Stefanie McCullough saw her effort well saved as the half ended.
Six minutes into the second half, an Elaine Orr run and shot saw the shot cannon off the post. Chances were at a premium thereafter until the final twelve minutes, Claire McMahon wove an opportunity only to see keeper McCullough save her first effort and Leanne Forsythe clear off the line from her second shot.
The lead was doubled with seven minutes to go, Amy Burden passing to Stefanie McCullough who showed admirable coolness to score. With Loughgall now having to go on the attack, the home side might well have added a third, Orr passing to Burden who was denied by keeper Simpson. Valley Rangers Ladies held firm to the final whistle to record another memorable victory in the IFA cup.
Report by: John Charleton (Valley Rangers)
