Once again the Loreto Women’s Football Team have been successful for the second year running in making the Final of the University/Colleges Cup which is run by Manchester FA. The Draw saw Loreto get a BYE straight through to the Semi-Finals where they faced the University of Manchester at the Armitage Centres superb facilities in Fallowfield, on 29th March. Last year we met the same opponents in the final and were heavily beaten – this year we were determined to make amends.
Captain on the day was Emma Quigley who got the team underway. The girls got off to an unsteady start and couldn’t really get the game flowing due to nerves and the stature of the opposition, they proved to be a lot stronger and more aggressive, and due to this we went a goal down after twenty minutes. The nature of the goal seemed cruel as it took an unfortunate deflection which took the ball goalwards by which time goalkeeper Reannan had already been caught off balance.
HT – 1-0 Manchester Uni.
As Manchester got the second half underway, Loreto’s youthfulness proved vital as the girls soon became comfortable in possession and after some pretty football, was soon rewarded with a goal. A slick through ball to Megan Rowley from Megan Lord which split the Manchester defence, was too much to handle. All was level coming into the final twenty-five minutes, Loreto putting on a great show for the spectators. The Girls almost became too confident, knocking the ball around the pitch until a back pass to Reannan in goal was made short, and as it was cleared the Manchester striker quickly closed down and the rebound fell into the goal. Another fortunate goal for Manchester. As normal time was coming to an end, it was time for Loreto to put the pressure on again, and a last minute equaliser from Megan Rowley proved to be enough to take the girls to penalties. Unlike England’s underperforming men’s international team, the girls felt more than comfortable in front of goal with this opportunity and after what seemed to be never ending, the penalties progressed to sudden death, where whichever team missed went out, and that of course wasn’t Loreto.
We reach the Final on Wednesday 10th May, 5pm KO. Venue TBC.