Brucey's bonus display keeps Ladies league form up

Coleraine Ladies 1

ON Monday June 7 Dromore Ladies entertained Coleraine Ladies in the second round of the Irish Cup at Holm Park Dromore.

Dromore had beaten Coleraine 1-0 in a closely fought league encounter three weeks previous and were determined to make it through to the next round of the cup.

There was a slow start for both teams on what was becoming a very wet night, both teams struggled to keep control of the ball and with five minutes on clock Coleraine struck first, a defensive mix up saw Laura Magowan race out to the edge of her box only to get chipped by the Coleraine striker.

Dromore took the restart and forced a corner straight away. Tracy Orr delivered a perfect corner, Kerry Taggart rose and headed the ball towards goal only to see the Coleraine keeper make a great save. Unfortunately for her she could not hold the header and Emma McClements followed up forcing the ball into the net. Coleraine’s lead had barely lasted a minute.

Dromore now upped their game and began the confident style of play which has been very evident in their last four games. Sixteen minutes in and a throw found Amy-Louise Graham who took the ball down then curled it with her right foot straight to Kerry just inside the box. She struck the shot but the Coleraine keeper managed to push it away for a corner.

This was beginning of a pattern as Dromore fed Kerry at every opportunity only to see either the Coleraine keeper or a defender block her final shot.

The second half began as the heavens opened even more, making the grass slippy and allowing the ball to skip up off the newly cut pitch.

It took 13 minutes for Dromore to furnish their first real shot and dangerwoman Kerry raced away only to see the keeper deny her again.

On 72 minutes Kerry raced away only this time a combination of defender and keeper managed to keep the ball out of the net.

Dromore’s hard work didnt go without reward as three minutes later Debbie Barry found herself free just inside the box, her initial shot was blocked but when it came back to her she hit it firmly across the ground with her right foot giving the keeper no chance.

Five minutes later and a wonder shot from Kerry was saved amazingly by the Coleraine keeper, the ball seemed destined for the top corner only for the keeper to stretch out a left hand and deflect it away for a corner.

Dromore, although on top, almost got caught at the back when Laura came racing out of her goal only for the Coleraine winger to beat her then put a dangerous ball into the Dromore penalty box. The Coleraine striker picked up the ball and only for a great defensive tackle by Fi Martin forcing the ball to loop over the bar then Coleraine would have had their equailiser.

Then a great save by Laura denied the Coleraine winger as she shot from 25 yards.

This picked Dromore up again and with five minutes remaining Dromore won a free kick on the edge of the Coleraine box, Tracey stepped up and with a deflection of the wall the ball beat the keeper and Dromore were heading for round three of the cup.

Coleraine’s frustration began to show and their player/manager got a straight red card for kicking Kerry off the ball as she lay on the ground.

This was another hard working display by the Dromore team who seem to be growing in confidence as their unbeaten run stretches to five games.

Best for Dromore was Jill Bruce in midfield who never stopped running.