Colleen Rackard scored the opener in the 7-0 rout of Edenderry Town
Edenderry Town 0
Portlaoise 7
PORTLAOISE Ladies AFC edged closer to becoming the KDFL So Fresh Entertainment Division 1 champions for the first time after an outstanding performance on Monday 14 September away to Edenderry Town in Fr Paul Park. Thanks to this latest victory, Portlaoise are just one win away from being crowned champions.
The Portlaoise side went on a goal-fest as they destroyed the home side with some sublime soccer. It didn’t take the visitors long to set the ball rolling with first coming from Mo Nerney, who was just back from a six week layoff through injury. You wouldn’t have thought that when she picked the ball up just on the half way line, going on one of her tantalising runs down the left, dribbling past three Edenderry defenders and shooting just on the edge of the box to the far right hand corner, giving the keeper no chance.
The second came from some lovely play by Jenny Conroy who played a lovely ball up to centre forward Nicole Kelly. She struck first time to make it 2-0.
It was then that the flood gates opened on Edenderry Town. The away side were in formidable form leading up to this game, scoring six in their previous game which made it a long night for the home side.
The third goal came early in the second half from Mo Nerney again, who played a lovely one-two with Catherine Delaney, shooting again from distance, going low this time.
It didn’t take Portlaoise long to make it number four through a Colleen Rickard goal. Maria Keane delivered a beautiful ball out of defence up to Rickard on the right wing. She went on a run, taking on the home defence and, finding herself one on one with the goal keeper, she kept her cool and finished in style.
It has to be said Portlaoise didn’t stop there and kept pressing for more goals not allowing Edenderry to settle into the game at any point. Unfortunately matters got worse for the home side on the 75th minute with an own goal by Ruth Fleming to make it 5-0.
Edenderry rarely threatened the Portlaoise goal but when they did the defence of Ellen Healy, Bernie Bowe, Aisling Kehoe and Maria Keane stood strong, denying them any chance of scoring.
It was the current top scorer, Mo Nerney, who put away the last two goals, both from close range with lovely work being done down both wings by Catherine Delaney and Colleen Rickard passing to Nerney in the box who again made no mistakes both times.
This win now leaves Portlaoise one point clear at the top of the table with three games in hand on current rivals Kildare Town.
Portlaoise played Naas last night (Monday) in Rossleighan Park, where a win would see them claim the league title.
Colleen Rackard scored the opener in the 7-0 rout of Edenderry Town
