Swifts rue missed opportunities

Northern Ireland Women's Football Association (NIWFA) Barclays Championship

Ballymoney United Ladies....2

Sion Swifts Ladies....2

SION Swifts started the game strongly and in control with Ballymoney offering little threat to their goal.

Swifts mounted a couple of great attacks with Bronagh Gallagher having a shot saved by the hosts' keeper.

After 15 minutes, Brooke Milligan was taken down inside the box with a penalty awarded.

Up-stepped Milligan to calmly convert to give Swifts the lead.

It was all one way traffic for the remainder of the half with Swifts in the ascendancy but failing to extend their lead, while Ballymone failed to create any real chances.

The half ended 1-0 to Swifts.

The second half started in much the same way with Swifts in a strong position.

Zoe Green missed two great opportunities with Caoimhe Heron and Leckey also failing to hit the target.

With 10 minutes to go, Ballymoney were awarded a penalty and Abby Alexander stepped up to smash passed Kerry McCready in goal, leaving it all to play for.

Swifts didn’t stop creating chances with Leckey seeing another two efforts fired narrowly wide and a massive penalty shot waved away by the referee when a Swifts player was taken down from behind.

Another great move allowed the ball to fall to Heron in the box.

She was fouled but the ball came out to Clarah Quigg who smashed it home.

With two minutes of injury time remaining, it looked as if Swifts had snatched the win in the end.

However Ballymoney didn’t stop and won two corners in-a-row with the second being the ultimate one as a looping shot bounced in for the homse side to snatch the point.

A Swifts spokesperson said: "A very frustrating and tough night for Swifts with plenty of opportunities to kill the game off.

"A missed opportunity however the girls will regroup and put the work in and bounce back."