Ladies earn cup upset

COLERAINE Ladies produce a battling performance to defeat Armagh City in the Super Cup…

Coleraine Ladies travelled to play Armagh City Ladies in the Super Cup, a team in the division above.

The game started at a high tempo with both sides attacking and pushing on. The Ladies played well looking composed on the ball and playing together as a team. Their number 9 almost got through on goal but for a sliding tackle from Shairee McVey to halt her.

The Ladies were playing particularly well with full backs Caitlin Gourley and Megan Alexander pushing forward linking up with the midfield of Alison Nicholl and Sam Miskimmon, whose nut meg of the opposition didn’t go unnoticed by her team mates.

The Bannsiders made the breakthrough when centre-half Shairee McVey found Abbey Alexander outside the box on the right-hand side, she cut inside and nestled her shot into the bottom corner below the goalkeeper on 39 minutes.

The lead didn’t last long however as both sides were playing to win. Armagh broke down the right, put in a cross which fell in behind the covering Megan Alexander, but unfortunately her clearance fell at the feet of their midfielder who hit a shot into the top of the net past ‘keeper Lynsey Hassan which levelled the scores at the interval.

The second-half started how the first finished with both sides giving it their all. Coleraine had the ball in the net for a second time only for Alison Nicholl to be adjudged offside. Coleraine still continued to push with wingers Kirsty Gillis and Olivia Stewart getting forward at every opportunity.

On the 77th minute, Coleraine went in front as good play by Sam Miskimmon found Carla Dickie who unleashed her shot from outside the 18-yard box into the top corner of the net scoring probably the goal of the season.

The Ladies continued to play well as Armagh pushed four players up top, and when a ball bounced over the top and in behind, Lizzy McNougher who was having a fine game was on hand to help her defence out and clear up.

Another fantastic team performance which sees the girls through to the next round to play Belfast Celtic at home.