Good week for Mid Ulster Ladies footballers

MID Ulster Ladies faced two away fixtures this week, the first of which was a trip away to Lisburn in the IFA Cup.

Although the home team play four divisions below Mid Ulster they were up for the task and gave the visitors a good work out.

Even with a few enforced changes the Mid Ulster girls were not to be caught out by their cup opposition. A hattrick for Rachel Stewart, a penalty for Adele Gillespe, a debut goal for Jill Overend and one each for Lisa Richardson and Michelle Scott completed the rout for the visitors.

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The Mid Ulster girls showed nice periods of passing and movement and to be fair to the Lisburn girls they never gave up even though they were up against a team playing three divisions higher than them.

The visitors could be satisfied with a job well done and thoughts could move to the league game against Ballymena on Wednesday night.

Team: D Rankin, C Brown, R Brown, C McCullagh, K Donnell, L Richardson, L Murphy, S Magill, H O’Donnell, A Gillespe, M Scott (J Overend), R Stewart (E Junk) Subs not used: T Elliott, C Charles

The trip to Ballymena proved to be a contender for game of the season this was entertainment at its best. The Mid Ulster girls went 3-0 down to a very strong Ballymena team in the first 20 minutes but a Simone Magill reply on 27 minutes sparked an amazing comeback.

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Simone went on to cap a superb performance with a second goal on 36 minutes after a measured through ball from Lisa Richardson. The Mid Ulster girls started the second half with renewed confidence and indeed they had chances to pull the game level.

However with all the Mid Ulster pressure Ballymena still were proving to be dangerous on the break and on 23 minutes Debbie Rankin was on hand to tip a deflected header over the bar.

From the next attack Adele Gillespe released Lisa Richardson and she made no mistake to clock up her second goal in successive games as she drew the visitors level.

The drama wasnt over yet. Two minutes later some great closing down by Simone Magill and Adele Gillespe released Simone Magill who outpaced her marker and drilled the ball home to give the visitors the advantage.

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More resolute defending and another good save from Debbie Rankin were interspersed with goal mouth chances at either end. Eventually the final whistle sounded and everyone breathed a sigh of relief! What a result

Team: D Rankin, C Brown, R Brown, K Donnell, C McCullagh, L Murphy, L Richardson, S Magill, H O’Donnell, A Gillespe, R Stewart (J Overend). Subs not used T Elliott, E Junk, C Charles

The Juniors completed their league campaign on Saturday at the Sports Arena earning a good point against Cappagh Spurs.

The girls finished third in the Dale farm Mid Ulster League and Jessica McGurk scored for the home team in the 1-1 draw. Jacqueline Burns won player of the match.

Team: J Burns, E McFarland, J Stewart, J Crooks, J McGurk, L Sommerville, A McFarland, R Montgomery.

Junior training has changed to Saturday mornings at the sports arena 10 – 11am

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