Downpatrick 3

BANBRIDGE Ladies hosted their league rivals Downpatrick in the first round of the Women’s IFA Cup at Cheney Park last Wednesday night.

The local ladies got off to a good start in the opening stages as they forced their opponents deep. With a solid but cautious rearguard Banbridge worked well at the back and in areas of the mid-field to control play.

It took some time for both sides to settle but once they did some very good football ensued. Pulling the strings in midfield for the Town were Emma Harper and Yvonne Jackson. Harper’s ability to hold and create play, coupled with Jackson’s ingenuity, was very effective.

So much so, that Harper created a good opening and was unfortunate not to put her side ahead after 10 minutes, her 25-yard strike just falling short.

Downpatrick, the more experienced of the two sides, began to come into the game, manning their 18-yard box like centurions. Failure to break into the final third was really the main concern for the young Town side.

This was nothing to do with their ability on the ball but more to do with physical strength and pace. Up against Sarah McDowell, Keely Dougan and Lauren Redpath they struggled to out muscle a robust Downpatrick defence.

As the Downpatrick ladies pressed forward, catching the Town out with a long ball, their last line of defence was Town ’keeper, Janet Lindsay, who denied the visitors the opportunity to break the deadlock with a fantastic save.

As both sides traded shots on goal, pushing for an opening. Banbridge began to settle into their game and began to enjoy their football. Holding on for the remainder for the first period the local side just shaded the play in the first half.

However Downpatrick continued to test the Town’s resolve from the outset of the second half. Forcing the Town into their own half for long periods of time Downpatrick continually asked questions of Abbot, Napier, Minis and McCrum.

All four girls worked hard but found themselves one down, deep into the second half after a Downpatrick corner was confidently converted by their oncoming midfielder. Town dug deep, but just could not penetrate the Downpatrick 18-yard-box.

Soon they found themselves two down after another set piece that was scuffed over the line after some confusion in the six-yard box. Emma Moffett and Anne Redpath were introduced up front.

The best chance came from Moffett when she broke free one-on-one with the Downpatrick ’keeper. Unfortunately she was unable to get enough on the ball and her shot was scooped up.

Minutes later Downpatrick killed the game off with a well worked 20 yard strike.