Bonagee United 0 Fanad United 0
AFTER a near 15 year absence, Bonagee made a welcome return to competitive action, when they played hosts to Fanad United in the opening fixture on Mondayin this season’s Ladies League.
In an evening plucked from the depth of winter, both teams served up an entertaining affair for the sizeable attendance.
The first real chance of note arrived in the 4th minute for Bonagee, when the industrious Anna Doherty played in Natalie McFadden, but Fanad sweeper Eimear Callaghan was quick to avert the danger.
Fanad almost took the lead in their first meaningful attack, when after a fine run, Jennie OBrien’s teasing cross was narrowly missed by the inrushing Michelle Doherty.
Fanad were now enjoying their best spell of the match, with Maggie Sweeney and O Brien posing numerous problems for the Bonagee defence, who were superbly marshalled throughout by the central defence pairing of Annette Pearson and Amy Thompson.
Thompson had a 25 yard free brilliantly saved by the Fanad ‘keeper in the 35th minute. The Bonagee goalie Denise McEllhinney was next called into action when she bravely saved at the feet of Aoife McDermott.
On the stoke of half time, a fine flowing move involving Bonagee’s Stephaine Crampsie, Julie McCloy and Natalie McFadden, resulted in the latter’s sweetly struck shot being superbly palmed away by McBride.
The first chance of the second half, came the way of Bonagee, when Anna Doherty’s inch perfect pass picked out Lauren Duddy, and her left footed shot was saved by McBride.
Bonagee were now in command, with Crampsie and Doherty dominating midfield, but despite enjoying the bulk of possession, Fanad’s defence held firm. Thompson had another great right footed effort sail inches wide, while right at the death Michelle Doherty had another great chance, but again McEllhinney was alert to the danger.
Susan McBride, Karen McElwaine, and Jennie O’Brien excelled for Liam Mc Kinney’s Fanad team, while Denise McElhinney, Anna Dohery and Stephaine Crampsie were to the fore forBonagee’s joint management team of Shane Kelly and Seamus McGinty in what was their maiden voyage in management.
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