Northern Ireland Women's Football Association

Portadown Integrated Ladies 0 v Valley Rangers Ladies 4

Davisons Frudles Division 2 League

This fixture between both last seasons promoted sides and also the season previous was as anticipated a wholehearted encounter. The home side had the edge territorially in the initial stages without testing the visitor’s rearward and it was Valley who took the lead in the eight minute Elaine Orr passing to Nicole Graham who coolly slotted home. The same duos were involved minutes later with Graham’s shot flashing inches wide. Anna Cunningham then connected with Orr but diligence in defence saw a headed pass back to keeper Frances Jackson in the 20th min, Eilish Barlow blocked seconds later Cunningham passed to Amy Burden whose shot. Anna Cunningham, Nicole Graham and Elaine Orr wove the next opportunity only to be denied by keeper Jackson. Gail McConnell and Kerri Graham began the next thrust only for good closing down by Jenna McDonnell who worked a shooting position only to be thwarted by Leanne Forsythe in the 28th min.
The visitors advantage was doubled three minutes later Rebecca McAtee feeding Amy Burden who netted. Orr saw a free kick flicked over the bar by a vigilant Jackson before she passed to Amy Burden who notched her second and the Valleys third before half time.

Portadown made the early running on the resumption Ruth Finley being denied by a superb Leanne Forsythe tackle in the 2nd min. Nicole Graham saw keeper Jackson save well in the 6th min before Elaine Orr fed Anna Cunningham who ran fully 50 yards before sending her shot into the side netting. The work rate of Ruth Finley for Portadown could not be faulted but keeper Suzanne McCullough remained untested. Orr then passed to Nicole Graham who was denied by keeper Frances Jackson with a contender for save of the season tipping the effort onto the post in the 17th minute. Jenna McDonnell then threatened only to be denied by Natalie Grahams tackle three minutes later. In the 22nd minute Anna Cunningham with the best pass of the match latched onto Amy Burden who strode forward to notch her hat trick. Jenna McDonnell then forced keeper Suzanne McCullough into her first involvement saving with 20 minutes remaining. In the latter stages there were few attacking thrusts by either side until Rachel McConnell passed to Jenna McDonnell who then re engaged McConnell whose shot hit the bar denying Portadown a late consolation. This leaves Valley ladies eight points ahead in Division Two with four matches to play.

Report -: Adrienne McCullough (Valley Rangers)