The Donegal Women’s League Under-16 Arena 7 League kicked off on Friday night with wins for Finn Valley and Lagan Harps.
Finn Valley WFC 4 Bonagee United 2
A very entertaining game in Stranorlar saw the Finn Valley girls (pictured) open their season with a win over near neighbours Bonagee United on Friday night.
The game, played at a high tempo throughout, was full of commitment, skill, and more importantly, goals for everyone to enjoy.
Valley began strongly against a moderate breeze and forced a few early corners but the Bonagee defence, well marshalled by Caoimhe Kelly and Coilin Hume dealt with everything thrown at them.
Valley’s passing was precise and although they created chances it was the visitors that took the lead when Shannon Doherty broke through and finished into the corner.
This seemed to spur the home side on and within five minutes the sides were level when Ridhcheall Doherty let fly from all of 30 yards with a left foot volley which gave the keeper no chance.
Five minutes later a cross from Rachel Lawne was met by u14 keeper Caoimhe Brennan, playing up front for the first time, and Caoimhe headed beautifully past the Bonagee keeper, Emma Doherty. Later, Emma made too outstanding saves in the game and looks a great prospect for the future.
The second half began with Valley on the attack once more and 8 minutes in Danielle McGinley scored a cracking goal from 15 yards.
Bonagee’s Michaela Carolan drove the Letterkenny girls on and her endeavours paid off when Coleen Hume got a fine goal half way through the half.
Valley were tiring as the half went on but despite her tiredness Jemma Bradley found Emma Conaghan who finished superbly.
This gave Valley the cushion they needed and the game ended with Valley getting all three points.
Lagan Harps 2 Kilmacrennan Celtic 1
In the opening league game Lagan took all 3 points after a very entertaining game on Friday evening in Orchard Park in a nine-a-side match.
This left large amounts of space to play in and both squads showed their fitness covering loads of ground for the 80 minutes.
The first chance of the game came in the 10th minute when Casey Barrett won the ball in defence before passing to Holly Canning who picked out the diagonal run of Bronagh Gallagher, whoever Amy McLaughlin for Kilmacrannan got across to make a delightful tackle.
On 18 minutes Kilmacrennan took the lead when Aoife Kelly passed out to Gemma McFadden to fire past Neve Scanlan.
Orla McGrath and Lucy Canning were playing well down the right with Orla’s cross handing to Paula Valles, whose shot went marginal wide.
Soon after Bronagh again was one on one but the hard-working Molly Page got back to make the tackle. Aoife Kelly nearly got on the score sheet only for block by Emily McDevitt. Aoife hurt her leg in the tackle and played rest of game in nets much to the annoyance of Lagan as she pulled of a number of great saves.
Jessica Leese and Rhianna Devenney came close to equalise.
Lagan were able to roll on subs to keep legs fresh. With Clodagh Sweeney and Savannagh Whoriskey working hard in midfield.
It wasn’t until with 20 minutes remaining that Lagan equalised with Paula Valles getting on the end of a great passage of play between Jessica Leese, Holly Canning and Bronagh Gallagher. Ciara McElwaine linked up with Gemma McFadden however Nataile McFadden made the first tackle and Courtney Gallagher had a easy pick up.
With time running out a last dash forward resulted in Paula scoring her second. Best for Lagan were Casey Barrett while Molly Page stood out for Kilmacrennan.
[adrotate group=”46″]Results
Friday
Finn Valley Bonagee United
Lagan Harps Kilmacrennan Celtic
Fixtures
Monday, May 1
Mulroy Academy v Swilly Rovers
Friday, May 5, 6.30pm
Lagan Harps v Mulroy Academy
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Bonagee United
Finn Valley v Swilly Rovers
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