Four-midable Kerry helps Dromore in nine goal thriller

St Matthew's 4

DROMORE Ladies entertained St Matthew's in a NIWFA Championship game last Wednesday.

The earlier match between the two ended in St Matt's winning 5-4 after Dromore being 4-1 up at half time.

Dromore took to the field with only 11 players and no subs due to suspensions and injuries and work commitments.

The first chance fell for Dromore after only five minutes when Lauren Gibson played in Kerry Taggart only for the keeper to push the ball wide for a corner.

A minute later and the home team won a free kick on the edge of the box. Nicky Clements stepped up but couldnt beat the wall and when the ball rebounded it sailed over the bar.

The home team were playing good football and always looked dangerous when Kerry got the ball at her feet and attacked the away defence.

St Matt's took nine minutes to make their first chance forcing a corner. Laura 'Moo' Magowan though came and collected the corner and immediately kicked the ball to the halfway line to Nicky, she played a great ball to Kerry who advanced to the St Matt's goal and dispatched an unstoppable shot into the net.

Dromore didn't sit back and straight from the kick off won the ball back and went on the attack again, this time the ball fell to Nicky in the St Matt's box but her shot lacked the power to beat the keeper.

The game was now end to end and after 15 minutes St Matt's got behind the home defence to equalise.

St Matt's formation finally paid off when, after Kerry saw the keeper save her one on one, the ball was cleared upfield and the number nine found herself on the edge of the Dromore six yard box, she swivelled and was pulled down by Fi Martin just as she was about to shoot. The ref pointed straight to the spot and Moo unfortunately couldnt repeat her penalty heroics from the previous week.

Roger McCartan didn't have long to wait for Dromore's reply as the impressive Lauren managed to chase down and block the keeper's clearance and the ball fell to Nicky on the edge of the box, she swung at it with her left foot and the ball flew over the keeper and into the roof of net.

The drama or goals though didn't stop there, on 41 minutes Lauren won the ball again and played another great ball to Kerry who attacked this time from the left, this time she rounded the keeper and the home team went 3-2 up.

Roger's team talk consisted of more of the same up front but cut out the mistakes at the back. More good news came in the shape of Laura Stewart appearing to make herself available as a sub. This was to prove fortunate as Collete, who has played a great game wide on the left of midfield, was forced to come off holding her leg after 54 minutes.

Laura went straight on and wasted no time using her pace to good use. Both Kerry and Nicky had chances to put Dromore further ahead but neither of them could find the killer shot.

On 58 minutes Moo pulled off a fantastic save from Rogan, this time she managed to beat Dee and got through the home defence were she hit a shot away to the far post. The ball seemed destined for the net when out of nowhere Moo dived full length and pushed it wide for a corner. This seemed to spur the home team on and again Lauren won the ball in midfield and as before she found Kerry who outpaced the St Matt's defence and it was 4-2.

Just as before St Matt's came straight down the pitch and forced a free kick on the edge of the box. The number nine stepped up and smashed the ball high into the net leaving Moo with no chance 4-3. Seven minutes later and again Kerry got behind the away defence, this time though the St Matts keeper managed to get off her line quick and as Kerry beat the defender the two collided with both of them ending up on the floor. Kerry got up first and with no whistle from the ref she curled the ball all of 35 yards over a defender and into the net!

Four mins later and St Matt's high line was exposed again, this time though Kerry who blasted over from just inside the box. Two minutes later Moo came to the home teams rescue when a St Matt's played the ball to the edge of the box and the striker hit a screamer bound for the bottom left of Moo's goal, again though she dived full length and the ball went for a corner.

With time running out the away team filled the box and after a scramble the ball fell kindly for the away team and the ball was smashed high into the Dromore net, the score was now 5-4. The referee signalled three mins to go but the time passed off without any other chances and the home team had their victory.

Best for Dromore was the unstoppable Kerry who could have scored six instead of the four she got. She stays the league's top scorer with 16. Also impressing was Moo with a confident display and two great saves, one of which even the great Nigel Martin would have been proud of.

Special mention though goes to Lauren who, after finding herself a few weeks back out of her usual centre midfield position, has turned in some match winning performances to regain her position and drive Dromore onto another unbeaten run stretching back three games.

Dromore now face an away trip to Carrick Ladies on Tuesday August 3 as their quest for third place continues.

The venue for Dromore's Irish Cup semi final has been decided with the game being played at the home of Lisburn Distillery at 7.30pm on Monday August 16. The team and the management would encourage as many people as possible to attend and show your support as the girls take on the unbeaten premiership kingpins Newtownabbey Crusaders Strikers.

With a big crowd behind us like the quarter final against Donegal Celtic, who knows what the underdogs can achieve as the girls attempt to make it through to the final for the first time in the club's history.