By Sammy Martin
Downpatrick must tame Limavady
DOWNPATRICK’S season could explode into raptures of ecstasy, excitement and expectation or dissolve into black-hole nothingness within the space of eight days in Division One of the Davison’s Frudles NIWFA League.
Two crunch encounters in succession will either carry the County Down town team to the brink of double success or bring about abject failure. Their entire season has now been compressed into two critical weeks
The side that can reduce Downpatrick to tears is fierce rivals Limavady. Indeed both teams’ destinies will be decided as they square up to each other in a crucial league match followed by the divisional cup semi-final.
The two have been shadow-boxing throughout the campaign with Banbridge and Blackieville popping in now and again. Division leaders Downpatrick hold two points advantage over their hottest foe and with just four matches remaining, they ‘can only lose it’.
The match, pencilled in for play at Mallusk, presents Downpatrick with a marvellous opportunity to remain sole occupants of the top spot come judgement day. To do so manager Mark Leahy has to install total belief in his team. He has to generate enough confidence for them to clear all hurdles to the season’s climax.
Donna-Marie Carson’s brace against Banbridge helped Downpatrick to a 4-0 win, Kyla Trainor and Kerry Fisher were also on the score-sheet. It was a major hit for the title contenders whilst, at the same time, severely damaging the Bridge’s aspirations.
“We know there is all to play for over the remaining weeks,” enthused Downpatrick’s top scorer, Carson. “Limavady are playing extremely well at the moment. They beat us first time around so we are fully aware of their pedigree.
“If we win our remaining games, we will be Division One champions; it’s as simple as that. We know that and that’s what we will be out to do. It will be an interesting fortnight.”
And Limavady sounded out a warning to Downpatrick with an 8-1 thrashing of Armagh. Once again scoring ace Louise McAllister was in unstoppable form, blasting in a hat-trick to hoist her total to a superb 17. Downpatrick will have to find a way to nullify her impending threat.
Following McAllister’s opening strike, Amylee McIvor thumped in a second and from then on it was only a matter of how many the Derry ladies would score as Armagh capitulated.
Rebekah McMullan made it 3-0 and went on to score another whilst the Limavady defence of Karen McAllister, Kim Middleton, McIvor and Nicola Curry put up the shutters. The contest was well and truly over at half-time with the score at 5-1.
Karen Hazlett and Orlagh Cooke were Limavady’s other scorers in an impressive show that surely prepares them for their shoot-outs with Downpatrick.
It was a bleak week for Blackieville. Their title hopes vanished in the committee room where they were deducted ten points for fielding unregistered players. Now it’s a matter of seeing the season through and return next year with everything in order ready to re-ignite their Division One challenge.
CHAMPIONSHIP
LOUGHGALL Lakers and Fermanagh Mallards have been the dominating duo since the first kick of the season. On rare occasions there were fleeting gestures from Dromore Amateurs and Donegal Celtic. In the early days St. Matthew’s may even have been nominated as possible title contenders, but as the weeks went by they became weighed down by a porous defence that caused the loss of too many points.
It’s now a simple knock-out showdown between the two. The Loughgall Blues kept the screws turning with a 4-1 triumph over St. Matthew’s at Ormeau Park. Janice Willis, a reliable striker, was on target yet again, with Laura McClure, Phillipa Dougan-Toal and an o.g. hastening the Saints defeat.
Fermanagh Mallards meanwhile thrashed Larne 5-0 to keep maintain their pace-making role.
Dromore Amateurs, despite the acceptance that their League campaign has now petered out, have substituted the Coca Cola Irish Cup to spring their surprises, having reached the semi-finals where they take on Crusaders Newtownabbey Strikers, following a brilliant win over Donegal Celtic, gaining revenge over the Hoops who knocked them out of the Divisional Cup.
No-one expects the Black and Yellows to better one of the League’s top two teams in the Cup, it would be sensational if they did, but they do deserve much credit and applause for some of their performances and their progression this year.
A 4-2 win over Coleraine keeps them in third place, the division’s top scorer Kerry Taggart thumping in another two to stretch her total to twelve. Danni Creaney and Nicola Clements were also on the score-sheet.
There was a five-star show from Donegal Celtic who clobbered Carrick 5-0 to remain in fourth place. Rachel Laverty, Jenny Waide, Lauren Moore, Tamsin Strain and Emma McGuinness were their scorers.
DIVISION TWO
WITH the title almost within their grasp Derry City were setting themselves up for the grand occasion with a power-packed performance against Wellington, obliterating the powerless Rec 15-0!
In a totally one-sided, embarrassing victory the pacemakers edged closer to the divisional crown and are set to enjoy Division One football next season. Molly McBride was the Rec tormentor, firing in four goals to leap up the goal-scoring chart. Caoimhe Logue and Shannon Dunn snapped up hat-tricks, with Debbie McLaughlin and Amanda Heaney grabbing two apiece. Bronagh McKinley completed the rout.
Dungoyne nudged aside Bangor Ladies 2-0 to remain in the top half of the table. Lois McBride and Rebecca Wilson were the players on target.
There was success, too, for second placed Cappagh Spurs. A 4-2 win over Ballymoney sees them remain in pursuit of Derry, but they must know that barring some sort of bizarre collapse by the leaders, they will be bridesmaids at the finish. Aideen Quinn tucked away her eleventh goal of the season, with Kylie McGuigan (2) and Natasha Milligan pencilling in the others.
DIVISION THREE
YET again another side rules unchallenged as Valley Rangers prepare to celebrate their conquest of Division Three. They were pushed all the way by Portadown Integrated, their nearest rivals, before squeezing to a thankful 1-0 victory. Had the score-line been reversed both teams would now be sharing the top spot on 27 points each.
But now six points separates them and disillusioned Ports must know that the title is surely beyond them. It was an all or nothing shoot-out for Portadown, but the division’s runaway leading scorer, Nicole Graham made her 25th goal of the season one of the most important.
Always on the fringe, but seldom in the mix, PSNI will probably end the season in third place, a 4-1 win over Rossglass County their latest triumph. Leigh Chapman has enjoyed a fine summer for the police side and lifted her total to twelve with a fine double. Striking partner Suzy Irvine netted the other two with Sharon McComb scoring for Rossglass.
Abbey Villa moved away from the foot of the table with 3-0 win at Ballynahinch Olympic. Suzi Rea (2) and Laura McGimpsey hit their winners.
DIVISION FOUR
MONEYSLANE motored to a smooth 5-1 win over visiting Craigavon – but Sion Swifts will surely become the division champions. Naomi Ardis carved a hat-trick with Stephenie Connor and Lynn Johnston joining in. Michelle McConville hit a consolation goal for the losers.
