COLERAINE Women’s first-team made the long journey south to face current league runners-up Lisbellaw on Wednesday night, knowing full well the test that awaited them…
With several key starters unavailable and limited time to warm up, it was always going to be a challenging start for the travelling side — and Lisbellaw wasted no time capitalising.
In a frenetic opening quarter, the hosts netted three quick goals, punishing Coleraine’s sluggish start and making the most of their attacking sharpness.
Despite the early setback, Coleraine dug deep and began to grow into the game. Sharp passing through the midfield and promising build-up play saw them threaten the Lisbellaw defence, though a fourth goal just before the break left them with a mountain to climb at half-time.
A rousing team talk from captain Shairee McVey during the interval sparked a renewed energy in the Coleraine side. The second-half saw a complete shift in momentum, with individual duels being won and determination on display across the pitch.
That fire paid off when left back Beth Grant launched a stunning long ball forward to striker Shannon Friel, who calmly slotted home to get Coleraine on the scoreboard with a brilliantly taken goal.
Though Lisbellaw added two more to their tally, Coleraine were far from deflated. A thunderous strike from midfielder Chelsea Moore looked destined for the net, only for the Lisbellaw keeper to produce a superb save and deny what would’ve been a deserved second.
The final whistle blew with the scoreline reading 6-1, but Coleraine’s second-half performance was one of hard work and togetherness. They leave Enniskillen with lessons learned and heads held high, ready to regroup and refocus over the league break – determined to come back stronger, together.