On a perfect night for football we were served up a game filled with high drama. BUFC Women got out of the blocks early in their Sligo Bay Lobster's Womens League opener versus Kilglass Enniscrone. The first chance of the match came after two minutes but Colleen Cavanagh's attempt from an indirect free inside the box was blocked by the KEUFC defence.
Two minutes later and Elaine Crossan showed the KEUFC defence a clean pair of heels to bare down on goals but failed to hit the target. It was all BUFC in the opening exchanges and Colleen Cavanagh was causing all sorts of trouble for KEUFC coming in from the left and a superb cross was narrowly missed by Clodagh Devaney.
KEUFC had their first shot in anger on 7 minutes bringing a comfortable save from Joanne Mc Cabe in the BUFC goal from the away sides long range effort. On 13 minutes Grace Kivlehan, who was immense throughout, had a headed effort narrowly miss the target from a Cavanagh corner. Mc Cabe again dealt with another long range effort on 27 minutes after a period of midfield battles. Great defence from Geraldine Mc Govern kept the KEUFC danger at bay on 28 mitutes.
A goalmouth scramble in the 32 minute led to a great chance for Michelle Harvey but the KEUFC defence stood firm and cleared the danger. At the other end Cora Brown was alert to clear off the line and again a minute later a double save from Joanne Mc Cabe in the home goal drew gasps from the crowd with her bravery and agility, unfortunately for BUFC and Mc Cabe the very impressive Orna O' Dowd sent a looping shot into the top corner to give KEUFC a somewhat fortuitous yet brilliant lead.
To their immense credit the BUFC ladies rallied quickly with some strong tackles from Rachel Scanlon and after a bustling run from Colleen Cavanagh, followed by her powerful shot, which the keeper failed to hold, substitute Vivienne Pearson was on hand to finish to the net leading to wild celebrations among the home support. The whistle blew for half time and a well deserved break for both teams who had gone toe to toe for the first 45 minutes.
BUFC started the half brighter and a free from Sinead Casey and long range effort from Mairead Dena failed to give the home team the lead. Abbie Jackson, who replaced Joanne Mc Cabe in the BUFC goal at half time, was called into action on the 51 minute and duly obliged with a great save. However the home defence was breached on the 56 minute when Tara Hastings scored the first of her two goals for the night.
Colleen Cavanagh, Selina Mulrennan and Rachel Adams were rolling back the years having previously played in the all conquering BUFC ladies team of 2011, and it was from Mulrennans through ball that led to Cavanagh shooting narrowly wide.
What seemed like the killer blow came to the away side when Hastings again showed her class with a composed and precise finish to make it 3-1 to the visitors. and now the away team were well on top. Abbie Jackson in the home goal made three crucial saves in succession and this seemed to lift the spirits of the BUFC women and their rewards duly came in the 73 and 76 minutes from the feet of Sinead Casey, the first a classy left foot finish into the opposite bottom corner and the second an equally composed finish with her right to make it 3 all.
KEUFC were rattled but they also rallied and a brave block from Mc Govern preventing them regaining the lead on 80 minutes. What looked like the winner on the night for BUFC came from the fleet footed Michelle Spain, made it 4-3 to BUFC, with a classy finish on 85 minutes and it looked like the BUFC ladies would come away with the three points but it was not to be as it was that lady, Orna O'Dowd, again with a finish of pure quality which made sure of a share of the spoils, which on reflection, was the fairest result on the night.
Well done to Eric Rainey, referee who did a great job in letting the game flow and also to the great support that the ladies had from the committee, senior mens team and friends and family on the sideline. Credit to both teams for a highly entertaining game where every squad member played their part.
A breathtaking 4 all draw.
Team: Joanne Mc Cabe, Rachel Scanlon, Mairead Dena, Geraldine Mc Govern, Selina Mulrennan, Sinead Casey, Colleen Cavanagh, Grace Kivlehan, Clodagh Devaney, Elaine Crossan, Michelle Spain Subs Rachel Adams, Catherine Porter, Cora Brown, Vivienne Pearson, Michelle Harvey, Clara Horan, Abbie Jackson
We would also like to thank Selina Mulrennan and her company NWAA for her kind sponsorship of the teams jerseys.
Next up for the ladies is a local derby with Arrow Harps in Mc Sharry Park on 30th September at 3pm.
