Sea Rovers shock Moville 09.06.11
Inishowen Ladies League, First Division

Moville Celtic 2 (McDaid, Farren) Sea Rovers 4 (Stevens 4) Caoimhinn Barr reports from the Bayfield (Photos: Herbie Barr) A PAULINE Stevens master class propelled the Sea Rovers girls to a fantastic 4-2 victory over Moville Celtic at sunny Bayfield last Thursday night. The veteran striker fired four goals, shredding the home defence time and again, during a clinical display of finishing in a pulsating Ladies First Division clash. With stand-in keeper Danielle Carey between the posts, Moville Celtic could not handle the superior guile and power of Stevens, who played on the shoulder of the home defence, running through on goal on numerous occasions. Lawrence Harkin’s Moville girls, who replied with a goal in each half from Debbie McDaid and Orla Farren, were in contention right up until the final whistle but a host of amazing saves from Sea Rovers keeper Ann Marie Coffey sealed the points for the Malin Head club. The home team, driven on by Lisa Burns and Michelle McLaughlin, controlled possession for much of the second-half but they could not convert their dominance into goals as Coffey kept Sea Rovers heads above water.

The Malin Head girls, anchored excellently by Helen Kelly and Lorraine Logan at the back, ended their hosts’ winning run on a perfect night for football by the banks of the Foyle. The visitors defended their two-goal advantage admirably for the last 25 minutes despite the fact that their manager Darren Stevens was ejected from the ground by referee Robin McDermott after questioning a yellow card. One local wit compared the Malin Head boss to Alex Ferguson as he watched the game from the ‘stands’ on the main road above the Bayfield. The Moville girls kicked-off in bouyant mood with Orla Farren and Danielle Logue an early threat on the left. First Farren dragged wide following good work by Logue before the latter also shot wide when well placed. A great solo run by Orla Farren saw the talented winger strike the post as Moville kept up the pressure in the opening stages.

Moments later Stevens was in again; this time, on the end of a perfect Karen McLaughlin cross, the striker made no mistake coolly rolling the ball into the net from six yards to open the scoring. Within two minutes of falling behind, Moville were level when Debbie McDaid poked home following an almighty goalmouth scramble. After collecting a Danielle Logue pass, McDaid could have put the Foylesiders in front but Kerri McDaid was on hand to clear brilliantly for Sea Rovers. Moville wide player Orla Farren then carved out an opening for McDaid, who was once again denied, this time by a stunning point blank save from Coffey. Paying the price for their profligacy in front of goal, the Moville girls were hit with two sucker punches before half-time.

Running through on the end of Megan Doherty’s through ball, Pauline Stevens clipped Sea Rovers into the lead before the same player struck for her hat-trick moments later, firing home after collecting Francis McDonald’s pass. Stevens continued her scoring groove early in the second-half, racing clear to drill into the net following Helen Kelly’s speculative ball over the top. Refusing to concede defeat, the home team grabbed a lifeline and cut the deficit to two within sixty seconds of Stevens’ strike when Orla Farren kept her composure to flick the ball into the net after gathering in Danielle’s Logue’s astute pass. Moville then applied the pressure with a Lisa Burns corner causing havoc in the Malin box; first Kathryn O’Sullivan’s shot was well saved by Coffey before Kathleen McNaught’s follow-up effort was also stopped by the impressive Sea Rovers keeper. Coffey then tipped a Lisa Burns free-kick over the top before Debbie McDaid’s shot was blocked on the line. Orla Farren then drilled wide from distance before Burns saw another shot expertly saved by Ann Marie Coffey. Farren then drove forward with menace before Sea Rovers defender Karen McLaughlin snuffed out the threat.

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