NIWFA Week 12 Roundup
The pressure is really starting to build in the various NIWFA divisions’ as the season draws to an exciting climax.
Crusaders Newtownabbey Strikers look to have the Carnegie Premiership in the bag as they lead the table by three points.
However, champions Glentoran Belfast United have not given up hope of defending their title and Cheryl Lamont’s side will push the Strikers all the way to the finishing line!
The Glens showed that they will not give up their title without a fight and hammered Loughgall Lakers 8-0 at the Billy Neill playing fields.
Rose Todd and Alison Lowey plundered two goals a piece from an over worked Lakers defence with Catherine O’Hagan, Demi Vance, Amy Cory and Amy Doherty netting the others.
If table topping Strikers are under pressure it certainly is not showing as they matched the Glens result with a tremendous 8-0 win over mid table Newbridge Predators.
Sandy Shaw’s Predators were no match for a rampant Strikers side with Danielle McDowell and Terri Harper both netting twice and Julie Nelson, Ciara Ferry and Helen McKenna also finding the net.
The Predators night was well and truly summed up with an own goal adding to a miserable 90 minutes.
Ballymena Utd Allstars increased the pressure on Northland Raiders with a 3-1 win at Londonderry Park.
Michelle Crawford netted for the home team but goals from Roisin Havelin and a brace from Rachael Fulton ensured that the Ballymena girls collected all three points.
In the Coca Cola Championship the top of the table clash between Cliftonville and YMCA resulted in a surprise, but nevertheless well deserved 3-2 win for the Reds.
Home advantage was to prove decisive as Marissa Callaghan, Nicola Carlin and Louise Irvine all scored for the North Belfast team.
However, Greg McKeevers’ team battled to the finished and almost snatched a share of the spoils after strikes from Ciara O’Kane and Maxine McCann.
Third placed Donegal Celtic trounced Coleraine 4-0 last week to keep up the pressure on Cliftonville in the runners up spot.
Tamsin Strain joined Avila Bergin as the divisions leading scorer following a brilliant hat trick.
Tamsin was well supported by Deborah Douglas who netted her first goal of the season.
Larne inched past Dromore in an ill tempered affair with the Antrim side recording a 2-1 win.
Gill Small and Naomi McAuley netted the all important goals for Larne and with Dromore’s solitary strike coming from the boot of Laura Stewart.
Bottom of the table Carrick picked up four points last week when they recorded a creditable 2-2 draw at Fermanagh to add to an earlier win over Dromore.
These could prove to be priceless points as Carrick inch towards second from bottom Coleraine.
Emma Murray and Christine Wade were both on target for Chris Unwin’s side but Mallards sharp shooters Felicity Long and Louise McFrederick denied Carrick a deserved win.
Earlier in the week Carrick enjoyed a 3-1 home win over Dromore to cap a miserable few days for the County Down side who also lost to Larne.
Shezzell Horner, Emma Murray and former Ballymena striker Trish Neill all scored for Carrick with Shauna Haughey replying for Dromore.
In Coca Cola division one St Mathews continue to dominate but they suffered something of a hiccup as they drew 2-2 with inconsistent Knockbreda.
Linda Kemperman and Megan Mailey were on target for St Matts with Jo Foy’s double strike securing a point for Knockbreda while at the same moving her up to third place in the division’s top scorer’s charts!
Armagh had mixed fortunes drawing 1-1 away to Blackieville and beating an under strength Tollymore 3-1 on Friday night.
However, the title is really for St Matts to lose as they look to be the stand out team in the division.
Blackieville enjoyed something of a romp when the beat an out of sorts Glenavon 6-0 at Mallusk.
Meave Crothers netted a very impressive hat trick, with Christina McGarry weighing in with a brace and Seaneen Kane completing the scoring.
It is as you were in Coca Cola division two with Derry City and Limavady fighting it out for the top spot.
The Candy stripes suffered a title set back when they lost 2-1 to Moyola Park despite a goal from Molly McBride.
Joe Doherty’s Limavady side took full advantage of Derrys slip to move into pole position after a 7-2 humbling of Dungoyne.
Hat tricks from Louise McAllister and Sharlene O’Hara put Limavady in the driving seat with Amada Nicholl also scoring.
Melissa Galloway and Robyn Henderson scored for an out gunned Dungoyne side.
The top of the table clash between Limavady and Derry City on 5 August could well decide the destiny of the title trophy!
1st Bangor and Bangor Ladies continue to battle it out at the top of Coca Cola division 3.
A 2-1 win over Rossglass gave 1st Bangor three valuable points but a 4-0 win for Bangor Ladies over Killyleagh keeps their noses in front.
Bangor’s Natasha Lee scored all four goals to maintain a slender two point advantage for Andy Craig’s table toppers.
League newcomers Kilkeel look to be in charge in Coca Cola Division 4 as they lead the table by 4 points following a 4-0 mauling of Moneyslane.
Gemma Hanna with a hat trick and Nicole Graham were the goal scorers for Rodney McBride’s side with McBride taking full advantage of a twelve month sabbatical from the Newcastle league.
While the Glens may be relinquishing their premiership title their reserve side is in the box seat in the Coca Cola Reserve division as they enjoy a three point lead and a game in hand, over the Strikers.
A 6-0 win over Blackieville Reserves indicates the strength of the Glens squad and emphasizes their dominance of the womens game.
Jill Kevorkian hit a superb hat trick with Rebekah Craig, Shannon Gratton and an own goal completing the scoring for the Glens.
For more results and fixtures go to www.niwfa.org
Report by Gareth Irvine
