Portlaoise girls make a statement in the first league of the league quarter-final
Portlaoise who got the better of Edenderry Black in the MSL U/12 Girls' Shield quarter final first leg
MSL U/12 Girls’ Shield quarter-final first leg
Edenderry Blacks 0
Portlaoise 3 ON A day when very few games survived the weather Portlaoise travelled to Paddy Maloney Park in Edenderry to take on recent opponents Edenderry Blacks in this shield quarter final. Edenderry had edged a seven-goal thriller two weeks previous and came confidently into the game. Portlaoise knew they could improve on their last performance and came in with a point to prove.
The game started with both teams battling in midfield to gain control with Portlaoise looking more likely to take the lead. That proved to be the case when a lovely layoff by Sophie Delmer was lambasted into the roof of the net from outside the box by Freya Ryan, a fantastic strike to open the scoring.
Portlaoise looked solid at the back with Sophie Leonard in goals guiding the back three of Emma Griffin, Olivia Brophy and Serina Mullin. Aoibhinn Forde and Lauren Farrell were getting some joy on the wings working hard to attack and defend. Leah Kane and Delmer were lively up front, looking a constant threat.
Portlaoise doubled their lead on 22 minutes. An indirect free kick was awarded inside the box after a double touch from the home keeper on a kick out. Emma O Sullivan gave the ball the slightest touch for Forde to rifle the ball through five defenders and the keeper on the line, it was never in doubt that she would score. A very clever set piece by the two girls.
Portlaoise stood firm for the rest of the half and took the two goal lead into half time.
The second half was more of the same. Portlaoise giving away very few chances with some excellent defending on show from Sophia Johnston and Danielle Browne. Charlotte O Regan brought her powerful running game to midfield while O Sullivan and Allanah Harkin brought a new threat up front, something different for the home defence to worry about.
Portlaoise made it three nil on 43 minutes with a lovely composed finish by Emma O Sullivan to the bottom corner after the ball had been cleared.
Portlaoise kept the pressure on with Delmer, O Sullivan, Farrell and Ryan all coming close to adding to the tally.
At the other end Leonard was sharp off her line while Griffin and Brophy in particular showed brilliant reading of the game to snuff out any chances Edenderry hoped to create.
It was an excellent overall performance by Portlaoise but they know the job is only half done with the second leg to come in Portlaoise. A clean sheet and three top quality goals are always pleasing to take from a game.
PORTLAOISE: Sophie Leonard, Emma Griffin, Olivia Brophy, Serina Mullin, Lauren Farrell, Freya Ryan, Aoibhinn Forde, Leah Kane, Sophie Delmer, Charlotte O’Regan, Danielle Brown, Sophia Johnston, Allanah Harkin, Emma O’Sullivan.
