Strabane Athletic Ladies face winner takes all encounter in race for promotion

Northern Ireland Women's Football Association (NIWFA) - Division One

Strabane Athletic Ladies....5

Ballyclare Comrades Ladies Reserves....1

STRABANE Athletic Ladies need one point from their final league game to clinch promotion to the Championship division of the Northern Ireland Women's Football Association (NIWFA).

Liam Kelly's side sit in second place on 19 points - two ahead of third-placed Ambassador Ladies - who they play at Ambassadors Arena 3G this evening (Wednesday).

Ambassadors could only manage a 2-2 draw against Rosario YC Ladies in their penultimate game, while Strabane secured a crucial three points with a 5-2 victory over Ballyclare Comrades at Mekvin Sports Complex.

The outcome of tonight's game will determine who gains promotion with a win for either team seeing them into the league's top division for next season, while a draw will also be enough for Strabane.

As expected, last Wednesday's final home game of the season had a little bit of every emotion possible with Strabane aiming for the Championship promotion place and Ballyclare fighting for their Division One status.

The game was an example of the intensity and quality of the division with Ballyclare taking an early 1-0 lead after 15 minutes with a well followed up tap in from Cammy Keenan when the ball broke loose in the box.

It took Ballyclare's opening goal for Strabane to step into gear and when Sophie Kelly received a misplaced pass after great pressing from the forwards, she looked up from 30 yards to spot the keeper off the line and hit the half volley over the keeper and into the net to level the game after 17 minutes.

Both sides had chances to go ahead before half-time with the closest being Crystal Crossan on two occasions for Strabane, one from a goalkeeper's kick only to be denied by a last ditch tackle and on the second occasion a shot from 20 yards just outside the box only to see her shot crash off the crossbar in what would have been a goal of the season nominee.

At half-time the teams were deadlocked on 1-1.

A change in formation at half-time seemed to really help the shape of the Strabane team.

The backline were outstanding controlling the game's tempo and finding the correct options on the overlap, while the midfield four had full control dealing with the talented Ballyclare team and they were instrumental in what was to come in the final 20 minutes.

The first 25 minutes of the second half didn’t see any goals however it was key to getting the momentum of play and possession back and the deadlock was broken on the 72nd minute.

Captain Wendy Long broke a ball in midfield and played to Millie Goan out wide. Goan found Emma Rankin who skipped through the midfield and played a Premier League quality pass into Sophie Kelly who rounded the keeper with her quick feet and slotted it into the net to make it 2-1 to start what would soon become an emphatic finish.

Less than 10 minutes later after great play from Leah McMenamin in the middle to win the ball and counter, Kelly found herself wide on the left and cut into the box and shot a curling effort which went straight into the top corner to make it 3-1.

At this stage the tails were truly up. Toni Nelson chipped a brilliant pass into the path of Crystal Crossan who took her first touch to get in front of the centre halves and smashed a shot into the bottom corner to score a fourth goal less than two minutes after the last one.

The game ended on a high for Strabane with a well worked team goal stemming from a short goal kick where the ball worked its way from right to left only to find Kelly who once again ran past the defender, set herself up and smashed a curling rocket into the top triangle of the Melvin goalpost to finish with her fourth of the game and the team's fifth of the night.

Final scoreline: 5-1.

A club spokesperson said: "This result now means that this week's game versus Ambassadors is a winner takes all Championship promotion play-off.

"We had multiple contenders with our backline being super, midfield working so well in multiple formations and some amazing solo performances from both teams however with four goals and a serious tenacious performance, the Player of the Match is Sophie Kelly.

"We would like to thank all the supporters for attending the match. Also a word of thanks to Ballyclare for the great match and sportsmanship throughout and to Darren Moore for reffing superbly.

"A word of mention to Christy’s Bar for supplying the post match hospitality and food."

Tonight's final and crucial game against Ambassadors kicks-off at 7.30pm.