Mills Ladies crowned champs

Mills Ladies crowned champs

12 September 2012

DRUMANESS Ladies were crowned NIWFA Division 4 champions after beating Carnmoney at Seaview on Friday night.

This completed a memorable season for the Mills, who were only reformed in April of this year, as they also gained promotion into Division 3 at the first time of asking.

Carnmoney kicked off, lost possession and immediately found themselves on the back foot as Drumaness literally camped in their half for the first eight minutes of the game.

But, if the villagers thought it was going to be easy, the opposition had other ideas. In the 10th minute Carnmoney, prompted by a busy little number 10, launched an attack down the right wing threatening the Mills’ goal, but sadly, finishing with a wayward shot from the number seven.

Two minutes later Drumaness came under pressure again, giving away a free kick on the edge of the 18 yard box, the ball was well struck by Wilkinson, but went straight down the throat of the Mills ‘keeper Harris.

The game was beginning to warm up, end to end open attacking football, and not to be outdone, on 14 minutes Danielle Ferris flashed a 22 yarder into the ‘keeper’s arms.

The next 15 minutes saw a battle wage for midfield supremacy and on 29 minutes it almost came good for Carnmoney. From a throw in on the right, close to Drumaness’ 18 yard box, both attacker and defender missed the ball as they tussled for it.

But not so the little number 10, who powered into the box to deliver a pile driver which caught the corner of crossbar and upright. Despite this near miss, the Drumaness back four looked very calm, organised and focused and anything that got through was picked up or cleared by a competent looking Harris.

In the 40th minute Ferris collected the ball from midfield and was forced to go wide left. She had to check back before laying the ball to Roberta Heaney (inset), who in turn laid it off to player of the match Sarah Walsh, overlapping into the 18 to send a drive across the ‘keeper and into the far corner of the net and send the villagers in at half-time a goal to the good.

Drumaness kicked off the second half and it began where the first had left off, both teams looking for goals. On 54 minutes Heaney and Ferris linked up well on the edge of the Carnmoney 18 and a terrific strike from the latter had goal written all over it, but the ball struck the inside of the post and cannoned across the goal line and went out of play.

It was like for like with the Mills’ defence stretched to the limit when a free just outside the 18 was powerfully struck by the Carnmoney number 7 through the wall and somehow Harris got across to make the save.

The closing minutes were nerve jangling with both teams adopting anywhere will do clearances.

On 86 minutes Walsh, yet again, broke up an attack down the left, after an exchange of passes the ball was delivered across the pitch where young Alison McMaster, who was outstanding throughout, linked up with substitute McClements, played a one-two on the edge of the box before driving an absolute screamer high into the net from the corner of the 18, game over.

Congratulations to Drumaness ladies, manager Glynn Robinson and assistant Anthony Walsh. What a night, what a season and what a team. Thanks go out to family and Friends for their support during the campaign and on their big night.

Drumaness Mills Ladies 2

Carnmoney Ladies 0

NIWFA DIVISION 4 CUP FINAL