DAVISON’S FRUDLES NIWFA LEAGUE
By Sammy Martin
WHEN you start stringing results together and believe in your ability to maintain a level that will hold the rest at bay then the winning of silverware becomes a distinct possibility.
Fermanagh Mallards are in the groove at the moment and although title opponents Loughgall Lakers presented a tough hurdle to clear, was there really a sense of surprise when Mallards won a tense top-of-table clash 2-0 to link up with their rivals?
Ever since a woeful defeat by Dromore in their second match of the season Mallards have put together a five-match winning streak and are asking serious questions of the rest.
Had the Lakers won they would have leapt six points clear, but they failed to penetrate a tight Fermanagh defence and paid the price. On the flip side of the coin Mallards came, saw and conquered and can be forgiven for being quietly assured if not over-confident for the future. Felicity Long and Louise McFrederick hammered in their telling goals.
ST. MATTHEW’S picked up an encouraging 2-1 win over Carrick Rangers despite a bold fight by the Antrim ladies.
Karen Barnes and Aine Flynn scored Saints match-winners with Jodie Beggs replying for the travellers.
GOALS from Lauren Wade (2), Leslie Anne Dunne, Emma Murphy and Katelyn McKane secured a 5-3 win for Coleraine over Larne.
PREMIER DIVISION
THE entire division separates Crusaders Newtownabbey Strikers and rooted Newbridge Predators.
But this counted for nothing as the side almost assuredly bound for the drop ignored the gulf between the teams to frighten the life out of the defending champions. Who says all the shocks are happening in South Africa?
It didn’t quite happen for Predators, who by the way, lost just 1-0 to Glentoran BU last week. This time they missed out 3-2 but you have to credit them with a couple of back-to-back marvellous performances that deserved more than nil points.
They came close to putting the brakes on the champions’ but Nicole Vance’s two goals went a long to preserving her side’s 100% record as did Terri Harper’s excellent goal.
Stubborn Predators clung on, goals from Ashleigh McKee and Mary Sheppard keeping them in the chase, but ultimately Crusaders emerged thankful winners, proving that they can dig out a result when the pressure is on.
THEY may have laboured to a wobbly 1-0 win over Newbridge the previous week, but there were no such worries for Glentoran Belfast United against YMCA.
It was all too easy for the former champs as they laid waste to their more inexperienced opponents. It was an evening for the Glens to show off their skills and to quickly regain their stride.
Jessica Doran’s hat-trick was the highlight, whilst Laura Hislop (2), Kelly Bailie and Catherine O’Higgins made it a 7-0 wipe-out.
MID ULSTER seized their third win with a 3-1 success over Linfield, gaining revenge in the process. The first time around the Blues won 3-1 but the score was reversed in their second meeting.
Hayley O’Donnell’s laser pass to Michelle Scott saw her flash the ball to net with supreme accuracy and confidence midway through the first half and when Simone Scott stroked home from the penalty spot it was all but over.
Scott notched her second shortly into the second half, scoring from an almost impossible angle (shades of Brazil’s Maicon against North Korea perhaps!), to put the shine on a polished performance, despite a gifted goal to Linfield towards the end.
BALLYMENA All-Stars are clinging on tenaciously to third spot behind the Big Two. Cliftonville ran them close but the Antrim ladies pencilled in their second win over the Reds.
Rachel Fulton had plenty to celebrate with her brace and one from Aimee Beggs gave Ballymena the edge while Marissa Callaghan and Rachel McCann ensured a tough task for the winners.
DUNLEATH Park is a derelict patch of blighted ground landscaped on the edge of the town adjacent to the Ballydugan Road.
It used to be the town’s tipping ground, ‘The Dump’ before, over forty years , it became the focal point of local outside sport, used by Gaelic, athletes, soccer, hockey, the most successful youth league outside Belfast, and many other minor activities.
Over the decades it has provided hundreds of sports men and women with a flawed site that at best can be termed adequate.
In summer the ground is rock hard; in winter it turns into a watery marsh that year after year inhibits its use and much too often causes frustrating postponements for many of the clubs and organisations that rely on it.
The local council battles annually to maintain decent surfaces across its cramped pitches, and to be fair, at times, it has a glossy veneer that impresses.
But, for all its faults, without it, Down District’s sporting enthusiasts would almost be forced to forego their chosen activities.
At the moment Downpatrick and Rossglass County are taking centre stage as they carry the local flag into the Davison’s Frudles NIWFA League. Dunleath Park is heralding their endeavours. For ninety minutes it became a little spot of heaven for Downpatrick as they blasted open the race for the Division One title.
Defeat against pace-making Blackieville would have virtually stonewalled their promotion bid. Instead, when they needed it most, Mark Leahy’s team produced a stirring exhibition that had home fans ‘out-decibelling’ a screaming vuvuzela! Instead of possibly sliding six points adrift, they now shadow the leaders by a single point, alongside Banbridge.
Goals from the ever-dangerous Kyla Trainor, Charlene Kelly and Donna-Marie Carson sealed a 3-1 victory. Julie Scott was the lone ace for the travellers.
The teams meet this week in the first round of the Division One Cup and with Downpatrick holding home advantage grand old, weather-beaten Dunleath seems set to host another cracker.
IN a division where slip-ups must be kept to a minimum five teams are in with a genuine chance of grabbing the title, one being Banbridge. They continue to slipstream Blackieville following a narrow 1-0 over visiting Limavady. There was no shortage of action but there was only one goal and it came from Becky Napier to clinch a crucial victory.
DEFENCES? They just didn’t exist in the goal jamboree as struggling Tollymore United and Armagh City fought out a 5-5 draw.
Top of the hit list was Tollymore’s Aimee O’Higgins who slammed in a hat-trick. She was backed up by Laura Byrne and Amy Nicholson.
In a result that slowed down Armagh’s championship bid, they were thankful for goals from Megan Bothwell (2), Megan Cinnamond (2) and Charlene Troughton.
LIMAVADY’S fortune changed in their second match of the week as they pulverised Portaferry 11-0 to regain their title hopes.
Louise McAllister pushed her tally to thirteen with a four-goal haul. Rebekah McMullan also netted four with Amylee McIvor, Orla Cooke and Orla Boyle joining in the scoring spree.
DIVISION TWO
DUNGOYNE caught Derry off-guard as they held the pacesetters to a surprise 2-2 draw.
Two goals from the razor sharp Lois McBride spoiled Derry’s evening. A goal apiece from Shauna Dunne and Molly McBride ensured they escaped defeat however and remain three points clear at the top.
CAPPAGH Spurs took advantage of Derry’s slip to close the gap. They steamrollered Bangor Ladies 7-0 to distant themselves from their opponents who really needed something from the match to preserve their promotion ambitions. Aideen Quinn led the Spurs charge with a hat-trick, with Samantha McAuley, Marissa McCrory, Megan Monaghan and Emma Glenn tagging on the rest.
KIRSTEN McCully could be forgiven for believing she was short-changed in her meeting with 1st Bangor. The Wellington Rec forward snapped up a hat-trick but her side lost out 5-3. Goals from Shona Hewlett (2), Leah Smyth (2) and Sarah Gamble saw the visitors take the spoils.
THERE was no luck either for lowly Moyola Park as they came under fire from free-scoring Ballymoney. Sammi-Jo Greer, Alex Shirlow, Sirri Topping, Lauren Marshall, Carla Dickie and Andrea Muddy hit the home side for six with Claire McCracken picking up Moyola’s solitary goal.
DIVISION THREE
IT’S too early yet to crown favourites Valley Rangers. Although they have reached the half-way stage with maximum points, lurking behind them is Portadown Integrated who cannot be dismissed lightly. The Rangers though sounded out yet another warning, obliterating a game but outclassed Killyleagh 15-1.
And the division’s top scorer was again in unstoppable form. Nicole Graham scored almost at will, totting up six goals to reach 18 to date. Elaine Orr tucked away a hat-trick with Lynn Johnston (2), Anna Cunningham (2) and Rebecca McAtee (2) completing the rout. Amy Donnan stole a crumb of comfort for a gallant Killyleagh.
PSNI cannot be eliminated from the title fight, a 4-0 crushing of Crumlin United stabilising their progress. Leigh Chapman (2), Suzy Irvine and Helen McCarthy were their scorers in a match they had in their control from start to finish.
TRACEY McGarry led the Rossglass rush as they cruised to a smooth 8-0 victory over Abbey Villa in Dunleath Park. She helped herself to a hat-trick with Mary McGrady (2), Siobhan Polly and Natalie Kelly also on the scoresheet as County notched their fourth win of the season to move into the top half of the table.
DIVISION FOUR
WITH hot favourites Sion Swifts not in action chasing Lisburn grabbed the opportunity to close the gap, although nothing it seems will prevent the leaders from eventually wrapping up the title.
Two goals from Kirsty Bates and one apiece from Courtney Johnston, Lauren Walker and Aimee McKeown sealed a 5-1 win over Craigavon who had Niamh McGuigan to thank for preventing the whitewash.
MONEYSLANE were also in a winning mood with a 4-1 stroll over Dromara. A hat-trick from Stephenie Connor and one from Sarah Gamble saw Slane safely to the points.
