Coleraine Ladies are just gr-eight!

In cold, wet and miserable conditions the Bannsiders made a promising start with early pressure on the Donagadee defence and it looked only a matter of time before the breakthrough would come.

Excellent link work between the midfield of Champman, Nutt and Balmer and forwards Harkness, Lockhart and Campbell resulted in an early penalty corner. Molly Kane’s straight strike was deflected into goal by Alice McGill.

Again Coleraine put the pressure on the Donaghadee defence and won another short corner. This time the slip went to Sarah Harkness, who first timed the ball giving the keeper no chance. This stirred on the home camp and they immediately put some pressure on the Coleraine defence of McGill, Kennedy, Richmond and Kane but the girls were in top form and let nothing passed them.

With five minutes left on the clock captain Susan Chapman stepped up the pace and drove the ball into the circle and cleverly pushed the ball into the left corner to make the game 3-0 to the Bannsiders. Just before half time Donaghdee had their best chance but with a fantastic high save from keeper Crowe the half time score remained 3-0.

In the second half the home side went on the attack again with Kennedy, Balmer and Watt linking well down the right flank creating plenty of chances for Harkness and McAdams but the Donaghadee keeper was playing really well between the posts.

Against the run of play the home side caught Coleraine on the back foot and took a quick free outside the 25 that was deflected into the goal. The chances were there for both sides, with Donaghadee’s defence called into action on several occasions to keep the score as it was the final whistle blew 3-1 to Coleraine.

Man of the Match was won by Alice McGill. Many thanks to Michelle for umpring. This weekend the girls will be looking to continue their winning streak when they play South Antrim away.