Ladies back on track

COLERAINE Ladies got themselves back to winning ways when they came away with all three points against Belfast Swifts on Monday evening…

The game started off quickly with both teams pressing early and both wanting to get the upper hand early in the game. Good play out from the back saw Olivia Stewart drive forward from the wing to unleash a fantastic shot, unfortunately for her it bounced back off crossbar, but thankfully it fell to Abbey Alexander for a tap in to make it 1–0 to Coleraine Ladies on six minutes.

The game was end to end and five minutes later Belfast Swifts played a high ball which bounced in behind the defence and their striker neatly slotted past Emma McCauley to make it 1–1. Sam Miskimmon was then next up for Coleraine but her effort was wide of the target. Belfast Swifts continued to put the pressure on the defence of Caitlin Gourley, Amy McAllister, Shairee McVey and Megan Alexander but between them they dealt effectively with further attacks.

Coleraine’s second goal arrived from a free-kick on the Bannsiders’ 18yard box as a long ball found Skye Strickland who brought the ball down and played in midfielder Sam Miskimmon who then set Abbey Alexander away to slot home on 40 minutes. Coleraine weren’t finished there when good play from Lizzy McNougher in midfield to win the ball back and play out wide to Abbey who then crossed the ball for the on running Skye Strickland to score her first senior goal just before half time.

The second-half saw no further goals for either side but it was not for the want of Coleraine trying to score a few more. Olivia Stewart hit the crossbar again, Alesha Wilkinson then had a superb shot saved, Shairee McVey had a free-kick saved, before Amy McAllister’s header was denied by the keeper.

All the while Belfast Swifts gave Coleraine as good as they got in what was a tightly fought game, but thankfully Coleraine held their 3–1 score line to the final whistle.