Zoe’s dynamic performance not enough to inspire Portlaoise to victory
Portlaoise AFC's Erin Kavanagh has a shot for a goal against Birr Town in the MSL U/16 Girls League
PORTLAOISE AFC U/16 Girls were at home again for their second league game of the season with Birr Town as the visitors. It was honours even between the two teams last season in the league, so a tight affair was expected again.
Leah Gibbons lined up in goals after overcoming a midweek injury behind a back four made up of Ava Donovan, Roisin Devoy, Aoibhe Ging and Hannah Scully.
The defenders were called into action right from the kick off as Birr pushed forward in an opening 20 minutes. Both sides had their chances, but Birr created the best of them. Moya Ramsbottom and Sarah Mousley worked hard up front. PAFCs best chance was the result of a brilliant bit of work from Aoibhe Ging who won the ball in her own penalty area beating two players as she raced down the wing. A lovely ball in behind was won by Ramsbottom who’s shot was well saved at the near post.
The Portlaoise midfield were stretched at time but constant running and hard tackling from Clodagh Booth and Zoe Dumbrell helped the defensive line hold firm. Birr looked the most dangerous overall with some good keeping from Leah Gibbons being required at times. Birr kept pushing Portlaoise back and Hannah Scully’s pace was on show in dealing with some dangerous through balls, with one vital block forcing the ball wide when a goal looked the more likely outcome. An entertaining first half drew to a close at 0-0, with Birr having had the best of the chances.
Birr continued to push forward, and their breakthrough came 8 minutes into the second half. Portlaoise were pushing forward when a lost ball set Birr away. The Portlaoise midfield were caught wrong side and Birr were straight in on the PAFC back four. A quick ball forward as missed and then hesitation at the edge of the penalty area allowed the Birr attacker to pinch the ball and walk it into the back of the net. The second goal came 10 minutes later under similar circumstances and when Birr added a third soon after the game looked dead and buried.
However, PAFC did not drop their heads and kept battling. Zoe Dumbrell, who had worked and battled for the entire game was fouled on the left wing. Aoibhe Ging took the resulting free kick and delivered an excellent ball into the Birr Penalty area. Moya Ramsbottom spun her defender and despite being under pressure slotted the ball into the bottom corner with only 5 minutes to go.
Not satisfied with that PAFC pushed on again. The final goal of the game was the pick of the bunch. Moya Ramsbottom battled well near the Birr end line to win the ball back. Being crowded out she played a great ball back down the sideline to her full back Aoibhe Ging. Ging beat an out rushing defender and slipped a lovely ball into Erin Kavanagh on the edge of the box. Kavanagh had an excellent first touch that set up a scoring chance which she cooly slotted into the top corner.
PAFC will be disappointed with the nature of the goals they conceded, but on the other hand the defending in the first half and the character and commitment of the team to fight back in the final 15 minutes were real positives.
Like last week every player, starting and those who came on, worked their socks off. Katie Holland and Lola Conroy showed improvement in their second outing. Clodagh Booth and Zoe Dumbrell gave real box-to-box midfielder performances. Mille Kehoe showed some lovely touches and caused the Birr defenders some problems in her first outing for PAFC. Moya Ramsbottom battled gamely up front all day against a very physical Birr defence and was rewarded with a goal. Two assists and another good defensive showing from Aoibhe Ging, but it was Zoe Dumbrell dynamic performance, both in defence and attack that made her the PAFC Player of the match.
PAFC U/16 GIRLS: Leah Gibbons, Roisin Devoy, Hannah Scully, Ava Donovan, Aoibhe Ging, Clodagh Booth, Katya Buckova, Leah Brophy, Zoe Dumbrell, Juliet Hajdukiewicz, Moya Ramsbottom, Demi Byrne, Lola Conroy, Sarah Mousley, Kirsten Gannon, Katie Holland, Marvelous Aransi, Sarah Vostinar, Erin Kavanagh, Charlotte Lalor, Millie Kehoe, Faye Cleland, Precious Nhleko.
