McKeever earns YM a point

Newbridge Predators1

YMCA Ladies1

YMCA Ladies travelled to Belfast last Wednesday night to play Newbridge Predators in the Davisons Frudles Premier League and after their disappointing defeat to Linfield in their previous outing at home, the Drumahoe ladies were hoping for a better outcome.

Predators are a strong side especially at home and the task facing the young YM side was considerable and Predators had recently defeated Linfield 4-2.

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YM travelled with an even younger squad than usual when Hannah Kilgore and Hannah Corey were called in after YM lost the experienced Ciara O’Kane and the twin Nortnern Ireland strikeforce of Avilla Bergin and Kendra McMullan through injury.

Predators started strongly and fired in a few long range efforts on goal in the opening ten minutes but gradually YM got a grip in midfield and produced the first clear cut chance when Aine McKeever put Mairead McCann through on goal but the Preds keeper produced a great save.

The home side then almost took the lead when their striker had a close range header brilliantly saved by Kirsty Eddis in the YM goal.

However on 25 minutes Preds took the lead when their striker intercepted a YM pass on the edge of the box and fired the ball home past Eddis.

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YM however came straight back and five minutes later equalised with the goal of the game. McKeever was brought down just outside the box and she got up and smashed the resulting free kick high into right hand corner of the net past the hapless Preds keeper.

The second half was a tense affair with both midfields and defences cancelling each other out but YM went close on a couple of occasions with shots from McCann and Laura Nicholas, and Preds hit the post near the end.

The match ended a a draw and that was a fair result. YM once again produced a marvellous team display with everyone playing their part but Sarah Bergin, Aine McKeever and the tireless McCann stood out.

YMCA Ladies: Kirsty Eddis, Catherine McSheffrey, Rebecca Price, Chloe Archibald, Tasmin McCarter, Coral Lapsley, Sarah Bergin, Aine McKeever, Seanna Meehan, Laura Nicholas, Mairead McCann, Hannah Kilgore and Hannah Corey.

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