NECSL teams busy on a number of fronts

Various NECSL underage teams, who are all part of the Emerging Talent programme had games in the last week or so - and some notable victories were achieved.

U-16

Erin Murray scored two goals as the NECSL defeated the Midlands 2-0 in an u-16 Interleague encounter.

Despite playing into a heavy wind NECSL were 2-0 up at half time by way of a clinical brace from Murray with assists from Aine Byrne and Sophie Everett.

NECSL defended well throughout the game and restricted Midlands mostly to long range efforts. Player of the match Edel O'Reilly was outstanding at the back along with Kayla Dunne.

In the second half, Midlands pushed hard to get a foothold in the game but there was no way past Ava Fitzsimons in goal who dealt comfortably with all of Midlands' efforts.

The NECSL players now prepare for their next match against Kildare and hope to build on this strong start to the competition.

NECSL - Ava Fitzsimons, Lana Smyth, Edel O'Reilly, Kayla Dunne, Eoibh O'Malley Tolan, Emma Sheridan, Aine Byrne, Aisling McElwaine, Sophie Everett, Emma Smyth and Erin Murray.

NECSL0

MGL2

This was the first competitive game for the girls and what a tough start they got coming up against the MGL. The game was a tight affair, but the NECSL girls didn’t give the opposition time to settle into their own game plan. They pressed well and where a thorn in the side of the MGL and were reduced to a handful of attacks in the first half.

The NECSL girls tried to use the wings as much as possible with the quick pace of Lily Byrne and Leana Coyne, but the MGL defenders held firm. With no changes at half time for the NECSL the fitness soon showed of the MGL side, and they scored when their midfield broke through the defence to put them 1-0 up.

The introduction of fresh legs to the NECSL side lifted the intensity but then a crucial and untimely injury to the captain Ava McGlue upset the momentum and the MGL broke through again to score their second goal. In all it was a courageous display from a group of girls only put together six weeks ago. Roll on the next league game on Saturday 3rd December.

NECSL 2009 team 5

Kildare 1

The NECSL's 2009 team played the first round of the inter-league campaign with a game against Kildare, on a very blustery afternoon in Kilcock. The Kildare team started out stronger with the wind on their side. A goal from Orla Duruanyawu six minutes in settled the nerves of the NECSL girls.

Both teams were finding it hard to keep possession of the ball. A foul on Shauna-Kate Smyth on the edge of the box, led to a free kick being taken from Orla Duruanyawu , which she rifled into the net on the 12th minute.

Kildare then came back and scored on the 23rd minute, however It wasn’t long until Duruanyawu grabbed her hat-rick, scoring her third goal with an amazing assist from Hailey Twomey on the 24th minute.

Half time: NECSL 3-1 Kildare.

The second half started with Kildare coming out very strong once again. Hard fought battles were visible all over the pitch. Twomey bagged a goal for herself with a wonderful strike into the top corner on the 52nd minute.

Twomey wasn’t long before finding the net again scoring her second goal in the 53rd minute to settle the game. Sarah Burke could have grabbed some goals herself but some exceptional saves from the Kildare goalkeeper, who was brilliant all game kept them out.

Also, a special mention to Fionnuala Conlon who played very well on the right wing when she came on in the second half!