YM ladies suffer play-off heartache

YMCA Ladies' first season in the top tier of Women's football in NI in the Davisons Frudles Premier League came to an end last Thursday night at Loughgall Lakers.

YM travelled to Lakeview with a 2-1 lead from the first leg at Drumahoe on Tuesday courtesy of goals from Mairead McCann and Ursina Carpeder but had to travel without the services of International players Aine McKeever, Avilla Bergin, Laura Nicholas and Aoife Curran as well as first choice goalkeeper Kirsty Eddis and ultimately this was the deciding factor in the contest.

Loughgall started strongly against the youthful YM and adopted a long ball game against the relatively small YM rear-guard but chances were few for both teams in the first half with Loughgall dominating possession, at the break the score remained 0-0 which left YM still in the driving seat.

However ten minutes into the second half Lakers took the lead when they scored from a free kick just outside the box which sailed past stand-in keeper Seanna Meehan.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 when Gall scored again from a free kick.

YM however battled back and scored a cracking goal on the hour mark when Carpeder smashed home a shot from a tight angle past the hapless Lakers keeper. This tied the game up and Carpeder and McMullan both had shots blocked by the Lakers keeper to keep the tie level.

The game looked to be going to extra time when Lakers scored a third with four minutes remaining on the clock.

YM threw everything at Lakers in the final minutes to try to score the goal which would take them through on away goals but in the final minute Lakers broke away and scored the fourth to seal the tie and promotion to the Premier league after a one year absence.

YM will hope to emulate Lakers next season by aiming to win the Championship again and bouncing back into the Premier Division.

Overall the season has been a steep learning curve for the very young YM side who have performed admirably against the cream of Women's soccer in NI and another season in the Championship should help develop the young players even more.

Coach Greg McKeever expects to add a few more experienced players to the panel for next season along with a few more talented young players and is confident that the team can return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

"The young side have played fantastically this year and almost pulled off the miracle of staying in the top tier," admitted McKeever.

"Missing five international's in the final game was just asking too much and hopefully we will re-group and win the Championship next year again.

"The future is still very bright for this young team. Aine McKeever and Avilla Bergin will no doubt come back from their first year playing soccer in America even better players and the probability is that they will be joined in the USA over the next few years by numerous other YMCA players.

"We will start our Winter training programme in November and progress to outdoor pre-season training in February 2011. Any players wishing to join the club are welcome and can contact me on - (0773) 408 6035."

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