Gamble goal is not enough for Ladies

MONEYSLANE Ladies hosted Lisburn Ladies at home last week in a league clash.

It was a fine display by the Slane Ladies who are growing in confidence week by week.

Slane got off to a fantastic start and were in front in the fourth minute when Sarah Gamble launched in a thunderbolt of a shot with her left peg and it sailed into the roof of the net from 25 yards out.

Lynn Johnston and Kim Lamont were combining well and a one two by the pair resulted in a shot by Johnston going wide of the target.

Slane were holding strong against a youthful energetic Lisburn side who were trying to break the locals down up the flanks.

Lisa Henning and Debbie Whitten were working hard at right back and right midfield where the visitors looked dangerous. Kate Rowan and Joanne Ervine were solid in central back positions and Lynn Donaldson was good at left back, getting chances up the wing.

Rebecca Ervine slotted the ball to Johnston who hit well but the keeper saved. Vicky Ervine was coming off her line well to clear the danger on two occasions and she also held onto the ball from a great cross into the box.

Stephanie Connor broke up the left flank and whipped in a dangerous cross and Johnston hit just wide.

Disaster struck for Slane on the half hour when Lisburn midfielder played a one two and flicked over the top of the Slane defence. It was the perfect ball for the striker to lob the advancing Slane keeper to draw the visitors level.

Lisburn lifted the tempo of the game pushed Slane deep into their own half but found it difficult to get past a stubborn Slane defence.

Slane started the second half under intense pressure and were finding it hard to get out of their own half. Ervine was brilliant and defiant between the sticks for Slane and pulled of a cracking save and the rebound fell to the feet of the striker who was six yards out. Ervine pushed the shot onto the cross bar for a great save.

Young Rebecca Ervine was throwing in some hard tackles in midfield as Slane were made work hard all over the pitch by an energetic Lisburn side.

Lamont had a chance for Slane but was well tackled as she was about to pull the trigger in front of goal and Johnston hit over the top from outside the box and Gamble hit wide.

Slane were resilient and grafting hard to get a result in front of a good crowd who turned out at the High School. Again Vicky Ervine made a good save and chased of her line to clear when the striker was played in on goal with a good ball over the top.

The last 10 minutes Slane were under a lot of pressure but soaked it up well and Vicky was outstanding in the Slane goals, making save after save and in the end Slane earned a point.

Best for Slane on the night was Sarah Gamble.

Team: V Ervine, K Rowan, J Ervine, L Donaldson, L Henning, R Ervine, D Whitten, S Connor, S Gamble, L Johnston, K Lamont, McSwiggen, E McCaftery, R Ervine.