TALK OF THE TOWN

Kerry’s hat-trick inspires a superb Lurgan comeback

REFLECTING on the game that had just unfolded in front of him that saw Lurgan Town Ladies fight back to victory over East Belfast, assistant manager Gary Donaldson uttered the appropriate response, “What a Match!”

The Lurgan side came from three goals down at the break to claim a remarkable 4-3 win in the

Their revival was inspired by a hattrick from Kerry

Taggart, with debut girl Megan

Cinnamond scoring the winner.

Lurgan Town found themselves a goal down within five minutes when a free-kick was headed onto the inside of the post and into the net.

East Belfast headed home their second goal on 11 minutes to make it 2-0, and then the home side went three up when a shot came off the post and hit Lurgan keeper Rachel Davis’ body to leave East Belfast (celebrating inset) with a tap-in. Lurgan’s response was immediate in the second half. Taggart scored to make it 3-1 within minutes of the restart, and then she made it 3-2 with a simple finish after Dani Creaney’s initial shot had been saved.

And five minutes later Lurgan were level when the East Belfast keeper fumbled a cross and Taggart pounced on the loose ball to make it 3-3.

And the comeback was complete when East Belfast failed to clear a corner and substitute Cinnamond knocked it in to make it 4-3.

Also in the NIWFA Electric Ireland Championship there were wins for Comber Rec and Carnmoney - Comber beating Ballymena Allstars 2-1 and Carnmoney seeing off Killen by the same scoreline.

In

Mid Ulster Ladies enjoyed a 3-1 win over Crewe United, while Armagh City eased to a 4-0 victory over Foyle Belles. In

Carnmoney and St Oliver Plunkett were the big winners. Carnmoney beat Shamrock Ladies 5-1, while St Oliver Plunkett hammered six unanswered goals past 22nd Ladies.

In the other game in the division Chimney Corner and Larne fought out a 1-1 draw.

In

Downpatrick defeated PSNI 4-1 while Bangor edged a 2-1 win against Belfast Celtic.

Ballynahinch also won, defeating Craigavon City 3-1.

In

Banbridge Town were too goo for Mountjoy United, winning 6-1, and Belfast Swifts saw off Dromara Village 5-2.

ROSIE MCKEE, Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Women’s Football Association (NIWFA) and Anne Smyth, NI Sponsorship and PR Electric Ireland are pictured at the announcement of Electric Ireland’s sponsorship of NIWFA. The sponsorship will see all five...