Ladies bounce back with win

COLERAINE Ladies suffered a defeat to Foyle Belles but responded in fine style to record a 4-0 win against Portadown…

Foyle Belles 3-0 Coleraine Ladies

Coleraine travelled to play Foyle Belles on Monday night at the Vale Centre.

Foyle are currently in the run for promotion and with Coleraine missing a few players, the hosts started the brighter of the two teams.

Their pressure paid off in 18th minute when they scored from a well worked phase of play down the left. A minute later they added a second goal as their tails were up.

Coleraine did create some chances but none were converted with Foyle putting the game to bed after the break as they grabbed a third goal before the end.

Man of the match for Coleraine was ‘keeper Cerys Sharkey who denied Foyle on several occasions. Coleraine played much better in their previous encounter at home where Foyle narrowly won 2-1 after being pushed all the way.

Portadown 0-4 Coleraine Ladies

Coleraine bounced back from their defeat to Foyle at the start of the week in convincing fashion away to Portadown last Friday night.

It was their second game in five days but the girls started in determined fashion. Both Coleraine and Portadown were pushing for the three points as was evident from the end to end action.

Both teams were creating chances with Coleraine having the majority of the opportunities, with the Bannsiders failing to convert two or three one-on-one chances.

After a rallying team talk at half time from captain Shairee McVey, Coleraine continued to press high up the pitch and it was 15 minutes s into the second half that the much needed break finally came. A through ball from Rachel madden saw Abby Alexander slot past the ‘keeper who looked to have saved it but Coleraine got the break they needed.

This raised their confidence and five minutes later a great ball over the top from

Megan Alexander allowed her sister Abby to get her second of the night. The keeper made the initial save and Abby pounced on the second ball to put Coleraine 2-0 up.

Four minutes later, Megan would turn goal scorer when Rachel Madden who troubled the Portadown defence all evening played the ball back to Megan who made a run down the line to support the play. Megan struck from distance leaving the keeper no chance as it flew into the top right hand corner of the net.

Coleraine got their fourth goal of the night when Abby Alexander provided the assist to allow Rachel Madden to get in behind the defence down the left hand side. Rachel’s hard work paid off when she beat the keeper to slot into the bottom left hand corner.

The game finished 4-0 to Coleraine and a great three points as their GK Cerys Sharkey had sustained a broken toe from the Foyle game and was unavailable. Caitlin Talbot stepped into the breach and played really well. It was a great team performance all over the pitch.

Up next:

Coleraine now have one game left against Crewe this Thursday evening at the University.

A win would ensure the Bannsiders finish in fourth place which would be admirable for their first season in a tough Division One.

All supporters welcome to cheer Alison Nicholl’s girls on.