A goalscoring Quirke for Star in thumping win

Northern Star Ladies player Megan Quirke grabbed a first- ever goal in senior football - after six years of trying.

The central defender was deployed as an emergency striker for the closing minutes of a 9- 1 East Midlands Premier Division thumping of GedlingTown.

And she responded by finally breaking her duck with a classy finish through the legs of the opposition goalkeeper.

Stand- in Star boss Steve Iredale said: “Megan has been playing senior football for me for six years. She has scored a few own goals in that time but had never comeclose to getting one at the right end until Sunday.

“I threw her up front for the last 15 minutes so I could bring another centrehalf on and hey presto, five minutes later she had the ball in the back of the net.

Quirke could even have finished up with a hat- trick as two other good opportunities fell toher, but she was unable to put those away.

Plenty of other Starplayers had earlier found the net as the city team recovered from falling behind early on to show struggling opponents no mercy.

Donna Nichollshit a hat-trick, Nina Flory bagged a brace and Gee Sturgess, Jodie Bartle and Rachel Adkin also got in on the act before Quirke’s milestone moment.

Star are in the thick of a thrilling title race as the leading six Premier Division teams are covered by just three points.

Sarah Parkin hit four goals to lead Northern Star Reserves into the semi- final sof the Cambs Invitation Cup. Star will now meet Cambridge Women, who play three levels higher, in the last four.

A brace f rom Lorna Hart helped Peterborough Sports to victory in the Northants Womens Cup. Jess Farchica also struck in a 3- 2 home success over AFC Trinity as the city side booked their place in the semi- finals.

Anall- city final is on the cards as Sports and Northern Star have avoided each other in the last four.

PICTURE BY TIM GATES Megan Quirke hit her first- ever goal.