Coca-Cola Irish Women’s FA Cup
Sion Swifts (4) (0) 1st Bangor Ladies
In just their second season in Women’s football the youthful Sion Swifts Ladies team have booked their place against big fish opposition in the semi-final of the Coca-Cola Irish Women’s FA Cup.
One of the top three Premier Clubs i.e. Glentoran Belfast, Crusaders Strikers or Linfield await the Swifts in the semi-final draw. Glentoran are currently unbeaten at the top of the Premier Division whilst last year’s Premier Division winners Crusaders will play in the UEFA’s Women’s Champions League against Croatian side, Osijek in August. Linfield are lying in third position in the Premier League and are building a very formidable squad this season.
All three teams boast a host of players who play for the N Ireland Women’s International team. So the Swifts will be very much the underdogs against any of the top three teams in N Ireland.
Sion disposed of a very useful 1st Bangor side on Monday night in a more physical game than they have been used to playing. Played on an immaculate surface in Melvin the Swifts could have had the game sewn up by the interval as Lauren Brennan, Jess Moorehead, Lorraine Conwell, Kelly Crompton and Zara O Hagan all missed chance after chance as every shot seemed to hit the Bangor keeper who had an excellent first half.
Added to this the home team hit the upright and the crossbar twice. Bangor had two great chances catching the Swifts on the counter-attack and Swifts keeper Grace Quinn was forced to make two great saves one of which was diving at full-stretch to her right.
The entire team played really well for 40 minutes of the first period hemming their opponents in their own half but their frustration in missing so many clear cut chances was obvious so the half-time whistle was welcomed by the management team.
Sion again started at a frantic pace in the second half but again the opening goal eluded them. Meanwhile central defenders Aimee Mc Ginley and Alana Mc Shane were outstanding and very composed dealing comfortably with any threat.
The break through came on the 60th minute when Eimear Molloy played a pass down the right flank to Kelly Crompton who in turn played Lauren Brennan in. Lauren muscled past the central defender and slotted the ball away from 10 yards out much to the relief of the team, management and spectators.
Within minutes Lauren added a second after Aimee Mc Ginley played a great pass into her feet, she turned, played a one two with Louise Coyle and found herself with only the keeper to beat which she did with ease this time.
This seemed to knock the Bangor team for six and Sion scored again after some great play from Zara O Hagan and the outstanding Maria Quinn who found Jess Moorehead on the left. Jessica seemed to glide past two players and from an impossible angle she let fly with a low drive that gave the keeper no chance.
Sion forced a succession of corners and from one of these the ball hit one of the Bangor players and ended up in their net to give Sion a well deserved 4-0 lead. Kelly Crompton could have scored another when her chip shot came off the cross-bar whilst Louise Coyle also went close.
Overall this was a great team effort with some big performances from a number of players.
Well done to all the players, management team and thanks to all those who came out on a bad evening to support the ladies.
The Swifts will now eagerly look forward to the semi-final draw and no doubt a very tough game no matter who they are drawn against.
Report – DAnny Gallagher Sion Swifts
