It was a determined North Down Ladies who made the second of two back-to-back journeys’ around the coast to Taylor’s Avenue in Carrickfergus, on Tuesday evening in a NIWFA Premier Cup game.
Despite the deluge of persistent rain falling steadily since Monday evening, the conditions underfoot were extremely heavy, although the pitch was declared playable by the IFA referee, at 5 pm.
Squad: Kim Dockery; Paula Dougherty, Christine Morrison, Patricia Webb, Angie Young; Carolyn Scott, Lisa Mahood, Susan Cull, Joanna Williamson; Deirdre Savage, Julie Graham and Christina McNamara.
The previous clash with Carrick Rangers had been just a week previously when these two clubs met in a league encounter - the home side on that occasion finishing the game off as a contest by half time - as Bangor based North Down Ladies just didn’t perform in the first 20 minutes and found themselves chasing the game.
Kim Dockery - who made a triple save late in the game
A good second half response - which saw them rally, and at least give a better account of themselves - had given some encouragement - but this game presented the question of whether the side have the stomach and character to stand up and be counted in what was a very tough away fixture.
The answer was immediate and the start strong, the visitors sending a clear message to their hosts in the first five minutes - Carolyn Scott breaking a tackle on the right side and sent a ball across the penalty box where Lisa Mahood - coming in behind the strikers - caught it clean on the half volley - to send it flying into the back of the net - 1-0 North Down.
Deirdre Savage - worked hard up front against Rachel Bates of Carrick
Carrick rocked by the explosive start almost responded immediately with a quick attack down the right hand side - and when a ball parried by Kim Dockery fell to a Carrick player on the penalty spot - her drive rattled the upright and carried to safety.
In contrast to the events of last Tuesday evening, North Down Ladies started well, and did not allow Carrick much time on the ball and put in a great deal of hard work early on which gave the side the confidence to have a go at the Carrick defence.
It was a great contest with chances at both ends - Dockery made a good save after 20 minutes and Carolyn Scott got behind the home side before dragging her shot wide.
Carrick made it 1-1 after 30 minutes with a well taken goal in an open game, Mahood linking up with Savage almost restored the visitors advantage, as the half time approached.
Angie Young who had been carrying a heavy injury for a few weeks, pulled up just before the break, and despite a quick reshuffle, Carrick capitalised to go 2-1 up just before the interval. With Young unable to continue, Christina McNamara came on at left side of midfield - and Williamson switched to left back.
With some end to end football and the outcome still in the balance - both goalkeepers were kept busy - Carrick though took advantage from a corner kick and doubled their lead, with a softly conceded goal at the back stick - 3-1 and 15 minutes on the clock.
North Down pushed forward relying on catching Carrick with the counter attack - Mahood had a half chance, Scott broke down the right and almost got through - then McNamara put through by Savage, cut inside to her right side and curled one in towards the top corner, the Carrick number one beaten - the ball crashed against the underside of the cross bar and struck the back of the goalkeeper before rolling out for a corner.
Julie Graham and Carolyn Scott who made the first goal for Lisa Mahood
At the other end - Dockery was called in to action in the dying minutes and made a terrific triple save - showing a good mental sharpness to repel a quick and talented Carrick front line, while the visitors kept the work rate up high with some determined performances.
It had been a good game of open football - both teams exchanging biting and fierce tackles - a far cry from the first half display of last Tuesday - North Down Ladies leaving this week on a positive note - and looking forward to their next league challenge - a massive home game against Wellington Ladies in the Intermediate B Division, at home on Tuesday night.
Some great performances and overall the first time the club has enjoyed playing with any real open fluency - Dougherty and Morrison at the back both had outstanding games - Webb and Williamson - had come out and responded strongly - Susan Cull sitting in front of the back four played her role and gave 100% in the heavy conditions - while in midfield Carolyn Scott and Christina McNamara, didn’t shirk their defensive responsibilities and battled hard - up front Savage continues to be the main threat and although Julie Graham had offered a supporting role - the team came away with the satisfaction of the knowledge that they are improving rapidly with every game played and the experience’s gained.
Christine Morrison in her 2006 league debut
On the night though Lisa Mahood - who covered every blade of grass at the Taylor’s Avenue venue - excelled. Mahood’s performances all through the start of the campaign has been consistently high - and has shown the ability to lift her game and battle hard in what is a unfamiliar role in the centre of midfield.
Congratulations to Carrick Rangers who are a very accomplished and talented football side - have bags of quality in all area’s of the pitch - and on the night were the better side and deserved to progress - North Down Ladies Football Club wish them continued success in this competition.
More importantly, during the game there were spells when North Down Ladies matched their opponents and used the ball very well - passed and played simple and clever football to feet - these are very encouraging signs for an inexperienced side, in only their fourth ever game - the quality and is there and slowing it is gelling into a formidable football team.
Lisa Mahood (11) - breaking through from midfield had her best game of the season.
With the season just getting underway, and no doubt lots of twists and turns, the club will have to buckle down and work extremely hard over the summer months, continuing to go from strength to strength.
North Down Ladies face Larne based side Wellington Ladies in a Intermediate B Division League fixture, at Clandeboye Park, next Tuesday night (23rd).
Arsenal and Northern Ireland's Ashley Hutton, who returned home for her country's crucial WORLD CUP QAULIFIER - v. ROMANIA on Saturday (20th); with her Cup Final medal she was presented with, after appearing for English Champions Arsenal Ladies. The game finished 4-1 to Romania and was staged at Riverside in Limavady. This result effectively killed off any chance for Northern Ireland to progress in the competition.
Last Edited Guest on 22-May-2006 12:08 PM
