Lisburn Ladies lift league 
title after super season

The local girls were unbeaten throughout the season, in what was an impressive return, with the team being top of the league from week 1 to 14.

Whilst their initial goal was to be promoted, they managed to win 14 matches, scoring 75 goals and only conceding 6 goals.

The girls will now look ahead to the Divisional Cup final which is next on the agenda.

First up on the night of the trophy presentation was a match against Cappagh Spurs from Omagh, and the Lisburn ladies were out to impress.

First placed Lisburn were taking on their closest rivals Cappagh, who by this stage could not catch them being nearly 10 points adrift.

The game was in the balance and both teams were hungry to secure a win. On 12 minutes the deadlock was broken for Lisburn when Abbie Burrnett crossed from the left and Stacey Hamilton met it perfectly for the first goal of the night.

Two minutes later Hamilton pounced again when an awkward ball in the air caught out the keeper and Lisburn were 2-0 up.

Stacey Hamilton completed her hat-trick when she spectacularly scored from an overhead kick that soared over the keeper. However, Cappagh Spurs kept their heads up and their Chloe McGlade struck a sweet shot from about 25 yards out which flew into the top corner on 33 minutes. One minute later and McGlade perfected a header into the bottom corner, again the Lisburn keeper Jessica Poots had no chance, 3-2.

The balance swung back in Lisburn’s favour when Nadene Stewart volleyed into the back of the net, 4-2. Abbie Burrnett scored two in quick succession on 41 and 42 minutes to make it Lisburn Ladies 6 Cappagh Spurs 2.

Hamilton got a tap in goal to make it 7-2, however, Cappagh Spurs to their credit never gave up and continued to pressurise but with a tiring defence Lisburn’s Nadene Stewart broke free for a one and one with the keeper and tucked the ball neatly in the bottom left corner for 8-2.

Spurs had been over powered by the newly promoted Lisburn Ladies who should excel in the Championship with their power and ability to create and convert chances. To round off the night Lisburn captain, Stacey Hamilton scored another goal to make it 9-2 and five goals to her and a Player of the Match award.

Lisburn Ladies were on the road for the final league game of the season when they travelled to the University of Ulster at Coleraine on Monday, where they took a 4-1 win.

The breakthrough came on 34 minutes when Stacey H controlled a long ball and put through a great pass for CJ to race through one on one and calmly slot it past the oncoming keeper.

The girls didn’t waste any time after the break in adding to the scoreline and on 48 minutes a thunderous effort from Stacey H cannoned back off the cross bar but an alert Dani was able to pounce on the rebound for an easy tap in.

Three minutes later and it was 3-0 when midfielder Christine broke through the back four and showed great composure to place the ball into the bottom corner.

Coleraine did manage to pull one back and give them a slight hope of getting back into the game.

However any hope of a comeback was short lived when Stacey H beat the offside trap and confidently chipped the keeper from 25 yards.

Everyone has played a part this season, from manager Hayden and assistant Andy, working hard in developing the girls into a hard working team, to the parents bringing the girls to the matches.

Lisburn now have a chance of a League and Divisional 1 Cup double when their challengers that night will be The Cliff Larne Ladies at Solitude, Friday September 5.