LADIES: First win for Coleraine

A strong defensive display helped the Showgrounds girls to a 2-1 win at Taylor's Avenue.

And player/manager, Alison Nicholl was delighted with the display: "We played very well.

"Myself and Lyndsay Whiteside put some good balls through from midfield for Lauren Wade, who was playing wide on the left. Lauren was able to use her pace well in this game.

"In defence, Connie Brown played well and Shairee Nicholl made her usual mark on the game, putting in some good tackles. Emma Harkness also had a solid game at left back.

"I was delighted to get a win, I hope now we can push on in the league."

With several players missing through injury, a superb team display ensured victory which now takes Coleraine up to fifth in the Davidson's Frudles Championship.

Coleraine started well with Lauren Wade and Emma Murphy causing problems for the strong Carrick defence. The pair combined to give Coleraine the lead, a Shairee Nicholl pass found Wade who squared the ball for Murphy to fire home.

Alison Nicholl and Lynsey Whiteside provided some good balls from the midfield, but it was Murphy and Wade who combined again for the second goal. The Carrick keeper cleared Murphy's effort, after some good play by Alison Nicholl, but midfielder Bronagh Ward was on hand to snap up the loose ball to make it 2-0 to Coleraine at the break.

Coleraine were hit by another injury as the second half start, Michelle Carson was forced off, and Nicholl had to reshuffle her side.

Carrick threw everything they had at Coleraine, but the defence, ably led by Shairee Nicholl proved to be hard to beat. Connie Brown had a good game at centre half, and so too did Emma Harkness at left back.

A well organised Coleraine continued to battle as the second half progressed, however depsite their efforts the home side did grab a goal. After this Carrick pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but it was Lauren Wade who should have scored the next goal. She latched on to a Emma Harkness ball, but the teenage star could only watch as the keeper saved her effort.

COLERAINE: K.Nicholl, M.Carson, E.Harkness, C.Brown, S.Nicholl, B.Ward, A.Nicholl, L.Whiteside, L.Wade, L.A.Dunn, E.Murphy. Sub: J.Patterson

*Meanwhile, the girls met Dromore in the Irish FA Cup on Monday night, their winning steak didn't continue and they were defeated 3-1.

The next game will be at home to Larne on Tuesday night, the game, at Coleraine Uni will have a 7.30 kick off.