Sunday 25th January
Shankill LC 12pm

Sunday 25th saw Glenavon Ladies Futsal take on Rosario in a return league fixture.

As preseason has started for women’s 11 aside football the squad was again stretched to almost breaking point with only 5 players available.

With Shankill being the biggest venue the squad have played Futsal at and limited by numbers, the first half started with the Lurgan Blues sitting in and allowing Rosario to have possession with the team being well marshalled by the 2 Megan’s.
As the half wore on Glenavon started to dominate but was finding that their radar was somewhat array either missing the target or making it easy for the Rosario keeper. Then with halftime approaching Becks settled the nerves putting the Blues 1 to the good.
Glenavon continued to dominate the ball limiting Rosario to half chances that Megan comfortably dealt with in nets.

The second half began much like the first with Glenavon backing off and allowing Rosario possession in their half. Again Glenavon started to get a foothold by controlling the ball and moving Rosario around the pitch.
Sophie making her debut for the Blues then scored a brilliant individual goal to put the team 2-0 to the good and make the match more comfortable. Becks then scored a quick fire double, the second following a great ball from Captain Megan.

With Megan controlling things but not able to find her scoring boots the game looked over but from nowhere Rosario scored a somewhat soft goal. For the first time in the game Hoenavon didn’t close the ball or a player down, allowing a Rosario player time and space in front of goal and they gave Megan in nets no chance with a superb strike into the top left hand corner.

There was no more scoring as the lack of numbers began to tell on Glenavon, as their energy levels dropped. Encouraged to control the ball and conserve energy Glenavon saw the game out, winning 4-1.

The result sees Glenavon maintain their place at the top of the table with 1 league game left to play.

Coach Craig Morrow said after the match “One more game to win the league and set us up for the playoffs. The squad is stretched to almost breaking point at the minute, the 5 playing today deserve so much credit.

Sophie came in today for her debut and was superb, Megan Weatherall continues to Captain the team superbly and today was asked to play a different role but for her wayward shooting which I know was frustrating her, she was superb. Thankfully after last week’s heroics Megan McCabe had a somewhat quieter game but had no chance for their goal.
Alex was efficient but was quiet today however I was really pleased with her tactical awareness to cover Megan when she went on her surging runs forward. To finish what can I say about Becks, she arrived worried her ankle wouldn’t hold up, so if at half fit she can score a hattrick, I will take that. Let’s hope she recovers quickly for next week.

One game left to win the league and the players get their deserved reward, then we enter/prepare for the playoffs.”

SQUAD: 1. Megan McCabe, 5. Alex Winnington, 8. Sophie Megaw, 20. Megan Weatherall (Capt), 23. Rebecca Dickson

GOALSCORERS: Sophie Megaw – 1, Rebecca Dickson (Becks) – 3