Two goals in injury time of the first half changed the course of this game at Inver Park, as holders Glentoran Women secured their progress through to the Quarter Final of the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup.
Head Coach Kim Turner gave starts to young players Sarah Tweedie and Rachel McIntyre tonight with the experienced Rachel Rogan at centre forward. This meant our international forwards Kerry Beattie and Emily Wilson started the evening on what looked a very strong Glentoran bench.
The Glens started off well and dominated the first half. In the first half hour there were good efforts from McIntyre. Rogan, McCarron and Vance, but Larne keeper Kate Smith was in fine form and managed to hold the visitors at bay.
Given Smith and a very well drilled and packed defence, it looked like the Glens would need something special to take the lead. It came a minute into injury time when Northern Ireland midfielder Chloe McCarron hit an unstoppable drive home from the edge of the Larne box. This was immediately followed by Demi Vance;s first of the evening as she received a through ball from McCarron and fired a left foot shot past the unfortunate Smith.
Sarah Tweedie and Rachel McIntyre
Glentoran introduced Beattie and Wilson after the break in an attempt to make the tie safe. The 2 of them linked up well on the hour mark when Wilson set off on a blistering run down the right to set up top scorer Beattie but Kerry had her shot blocked.
However 3 minutes later the game was safe as Joely Andrews managed to make space in the packed Larne box to hit hit another spectacular goal. This was Joely’s 13th goal of the season so far. A great return from midfield.
Demi Vance and Kerry Beattie both hit the woodwork before Vance – getting into her more familiar attacking positions this evening - powered through on powered through on 81 minutes to finish off her own 7th goal of the season.
So the Glens attempt to win a fifth consecutive Challenge Cup continue. But first a home league game next Friday (4th August) with Mid Ulster.
Glentoran Women: Ashleigh McKinnon, Annie Timoney, Sarah Tweedie, Emma McMaster, Kelly Bailie, Demi Vance, Nadene Caldwell (c),Chloe McCarron, Joely Andrews, Rachel Rogan, Rachel McIntyre
Subs: Ellie Scott, Jenna McKearney (for Tweedie 61), Kascie Weir (for Bailie 81), Maeve McConaghy, Kirsty Cameron (for Andrews 81), Kerry Beattie (for Rogan 45), Emily Wilson (for McIntyre 45)
2 goal Demi Vance
Photography by Johnny Caldwell
