Defeat for Coleraine in opening fixture

Alison Nicholl’s side made a good start to their opening league fixture, but found themselves 4-0 down at the final whistle.

Donegal Celtic took the lead against the run of play and a second goal, similar to the first, followed soon after.

Coleraine came out in more confident form for the second half.

Alison Nicholl struck a post, Lauren Quinn rattled the crossbar and Lauren Wade also came close as the second half progressed.

Winger Emma Murphy also had a good effort on goal, but the Coleraine girls just couldn’t beat the strong DC keeper.

The home side grabbed a third goal, but Coleraine kept up their efforts.

With two minutes to go, the Belfast side sealed the win with a fourth goal through a well practiced set piece.

Despite the defeat, player/manager Alison Nicholl took some positives from the display: “ We have a really young side, and playing in the Championship is going to be tough. There are no easy games, but the girls will learn a lot from this.

“Technically I thought we had the upper hand, Donegal Celtic were just more physical.”

Alison praised centre half Shairee Nicholl and 14-year-old Katelyn McKane who made her debut.

“I have no doubt that as the season goes on we will improve, what pleased me the most about the opening game, was that we tried to play football. We created a lot of chances and on another day, it could have gone our way.”

Coleraine entertain Loughgall this Thursday night at UUC (7.30pm)

Alison expects another tough test: “ Loughgall came down from the Premier League last season. They won their first game, but we will build on the positives from the Donegal Celtic game for this one.”

BY NICHOLA FORGRAVE