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Toner SPOT-ON as DC bok place in next round! |
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Donegal Celtic Ladies 2 -v-
Northland Raiders 2 (aet)
Donegal Celtic won 4-3 after penalties
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There was high drama at Donegal Celtic Park on Wednesday Night as DC Ladies edged a tight affair to progress into the next round of the Premier Cup.
The last meeting of these sides saw Raiders turn over DC 5-1 so the Celts entered the game with a few points to prove. Early on in the first half DC hit Raiders on a quick counter attack. Sara Corr dispossessed a Raiders attacker on the edge of her penalty area and found Sonia Toner in space. Toner played a controlled lob in behind the visitors� defence which the pacey Lauren Moore reached. Moore made her way to the 18 yard line but hesitated slightly allowing the defence to put pressure on her, forcing her shot wide of target. Raiders hit back with a good attack of there own which called home keeper Emma Morgan into action but she was equal to the shot and got down well to smother the ball. Midway through the half Raiders were unlucky not to take the lead. A free kick was awarded 25 yards from goal after a late tackle by player of the game Louise Irvine. The Raiders centre forward struck the ball well but was unfortunate to see her effort rebound off the cross bar and away to safety. As half time approached DC had another half chance, this time falling to Aideen Shannon but she found the Raiders keeper in good form to palm away her effort.
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The second half was a good battle with both sides playing cautious football. Raiders took the lead 7 minutes after the break after a mix up in defence by the home side. With the ball breaking loose 18 yards out, Lesley Beattie and Sonia Toner left it for each other and the Raiders forward nipped in to tuck away neatly. This was to be Raiders last attack of the half. From this DC grasped control of the game and constantly threatened the visitors� goal. 25 Minutes into the second half DC got their deserved equaliser courtesy of Lauren Moore. With the home side temporarily down to ten players (Lesley Beattie was off the field receiving treatment) they battled gallantly. Lauren Moore was the receiver of a fortunate rebound and she made the Raiders pay chipping the goal keeper from the edge of the 18 box. Moore almost doubled her lead after 35 minutes after being found by the inspirational Louise Irvine. Irvine forced her way through three meaty challenges before cutting the ball inside to Moore. Moore side stepped around her marker an curled a shot which had goal written all over it but somehow the away keeper got fingertips to it and forced it to safety. That was the last serious action of the half and the game went to extra time. |
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With extra time being played 10 minutes each way, both sides knew that a minor slip up could cost them a place in the next round. There was little action in the first period with both teams playing cautious football. The second period opened up more and in the third minute DC scored what should have been the winner. Louise Irvine again tormented the visiting defence on the left hand side, tearing past all comers. Reaching the by-line she cut an inch perfect ball back which Kelly Bradey struck left footed into the corner. Into injury time DC should have wrapped the game up when they were awarded a penalty when Irvine was tripped in the area. Up stepped Sonia Toner who dragged her shot wide of goal. Straight from the resulting goal kick, Raiders broke incisively and scored a last gasp equaliser to force the game into penalties to the disbelief of Donegal Celtic. |
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The penalties were as follows:
Raiders: MISS DC: SCORED (Nuala Rafferty)
Raiders: MISS DC: SCORED (Lesley Beattie)
Raiders: SCORED DC: MISSED
Raiders: SCORED DC: SCORED (Lauren Moore)
Raiders: SCORED DC: SCORED (Sonia Toner)
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After missing a penalty in extra time Sonia Toner scored the winning penalty to send her team through to the next round after a tense and nervous game. Credit to home keeper Emma Morgan who saved one spot kick to turn the tie. This result sees Donegal Celtic face the long trip to Omagh Town in two weeks time. |
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Donegal Celtic Ladies would like to congratulate Charlene Smyth on becoming player of the month for May 2003.
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DC Squad: Emma Morgan, Sara Corr, Charlene Smyth, Elaine Curley, Lesley Beattie, Mandy Timmons, Sonia Toner, Louise Irvine, Nuala Rafferty, Aideen Shannon, Lauren Moore.
Subs: Kelly Bradey for Mandy Timmons.
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