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DOUGLAS STREETWOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM |
The two sides had settled for a 1-1 draw in their league match earlier in the season and, with many players absent, it was always going to be a tough match.
The first half was a scrappy affair, as both teams desperately scrambled around, failing to maintain possession. Kilumney, nonetheless, had several promising attacks on goal, but fate assisted the Douglas street defence in keeping the ball out of the net.
All season, the team has suffered badly from a lack of a striker waiting in the box to tuck away Gillian's excellent crosses from the wings. Maureen's advent on the team has finally provided this resource and she finally opened the scoring for Douglas Street shortly before the end of the first half.
Although Douglas Street went all out to defend in the second half, Kilumney's attacks were a constant threat. Their efforts paid off with an equaliser, excruciatingly punishing to the exhausted Douglas Street side.
Immediately stepping up the forward pressure again, Douglas Street's determination showed through, and a scramble in front of the Kilumney goal gave Maureen the opportunity for glory and free pints all night - how could she resist! The match finished 1-2 to Douglas Street after a hard-fought 90 minutes.
Oh, and least I forget to mention - wasn't there a sending off in the second half? The hall of fame honours for the first Douglas Street red card goes to Olivia. Unfortunately, we can't say what she did to deserve it, as it is apparently a yellow card offence to ask the ref! (But it definitely wouldn't have anything to do with a retaliatory kick right in front of the ref, now would it Olivia?)
There are bound to be more fun and games next week when we meet Midleton
yet again, this time on home soil. Pack the American Football gear,
the Deep-Heat and the stretcher for 7.00 pm next Wednesday - and that's
just if you're coming as a supporter!
Wednesday saw a return to the club's winning ways, as Douglas Street swept to a 2-1 victory over Douglas Hall.
The match proved a constant battle, not only against the opponents, but against the persistent rain which made the 90 minutes particularly heavy going. Several missed chances left the first half scoreless, but Douglas Street were dtermined that the match was there for the taking, if someone could just supply the finishing touch.
Gillian and Tracy duly teamed up to provide the necessary finesse, with a superb and slick move, putting Tracy on the scoreboard for Douglas Street shortly into the second half.
This lead was held doggedly for some time, before a lapse in the defence left substitute keeper Emma with no chance against the Douglas Hall striker's equaliser.
Douglas Street reacted well to this setback by piling on the pressure. It finally paid off as a hand-ball in the box gave Gillian the opportunity to continue her record of match-winning penalties this season.
The team, disadvantaged by injuries and absences, put up a good performance
and deserved the hard-fought win. The victory leaves Douglas
Street with 13 points, having played 7 league matches. (Updated League
Tables are due next Thursday.)
Comment:
It may not have marred the victory, but it is
pointless to pretend that the issue of personal abuse directed at our players
does not arise. A comment was levelled at one player during the match,
which could have been taken as a tribute to the level of her sexual activity
if said by a friend, but was intended as a severe insult.
Such comments have no place on the soccer pitch,
but are difficult to prevent in our narrow-minded and homophobic society.
Suggestions of witty and hard-hitting retorts to such comments are invited.
Submit them by email and we can dedicate a training session to self-defence
the next time its raining and we don't want to run in that nasty slippery
grass - see, we're real ladies at heart!!
| Email: douglas.street@oceanfree.net |
Last Updated: 19/8/99
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