Dromore girls eye top spot ahead of crucial derby with promotion rivals Lisburn

Dromore Ladies now have their eyes firmly fixed on the Championship league title.
Dromore Ladies have set their sights on the top of the table. INBL1522-210PBDromore Ladies have set their sights on the top of the table. INBL1522-210PB
Dromore Ladies have set their sights on the top of the table. INBL1522-210PB

At the half-way stage, they’re well in the hunt for top spot but have a vital few weeks ahead.

Davy Welshman’s side host title rivals Lisburn Ladies at Dromore Leisure Centre on Wednesday evening (kick-off 7.30pm) knowing a win would be a massive step towards the top.

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Derry City currently occupy the summit but if Dromore were to win this week, they would go two points behind with a game in hand.

“At the start of the season, all we wanted to do was consolidate but now the girls have put themselves in a position to challenge,” said boss Welshman. “We have both Lisburn and Derry to come to Dromore so it’s all in our hands.

“Beating Lisburn Ladies away was a huge result for us and now we have a massive month coming up with four big league games and a League Cup semi-final to play.”

Dromore snatched a late 2-1 win the last time the sides met thanks to a Kerry Taggart double. Welshman was intending to lead his side into this clash well rested but the girls are keen to keep up their hard work.

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“I wanted to give them a night off training but they said they wanted to train so I think that shows they understand how big this game is,” said the boss.

Dromore have had a long injury list in the first half of the season but the boss is hoping he will welcome back a key player on Wednesday.

He said: “Sorcha Nugent has only managed one game so far but we’re hoping she will be back this week. Jill Bruce will be about for another week or so though.”

Even without some star players, Dromore have the joint best defence in the Championship, much of that thanks to their new goalkeeper.

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“It’s a credit to Emma McClements, who moved from outfield into nets and set a club record with five clean sheets in a row,” said the boss. “The goalkeeping coaches do fantastic work with our keepers.”

Dromore go into this game off the back of an Irish Cup exit at the hands of Premiership side Cliftonville,

“The girls did really well despite the result,” said Davy. “All of their players were commenting on our performance and how together our girls were to make sure their heads didn’t drop even at 3-0 down.”