Page 30 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.24 2021-22

Victory for Foyle Belles

Foyle Belles deservedly lifted the Northern Ireland Futsal Federation (NIFF) Women’s
Cup after a gritty performance against St James’ Swifts Ladies.
The girls from Derry-Londonderry, who operate in the second tier of women’s
futsal in Northern Ireland, were the underdogs going in to the final against St James’
from the top flight.
But the Belles rose to the occasion at Belfast’s Shankill Leisure Centre and won
the decider 4-3 after extra time.
The defeat was a further disappointment for St James’ as the west Belfast side
were strong contenders in the Women’s Premiership and Championship Futsal League
until their hopes were dashed in the final round of fixtures.
In the cup final Foyle Belles struck first only for St James’ to draw level before
some great team play enabled the Belles to go 2-1 up.
St James’ then had a good opportunity to equalise but failed to take it and they
were almost punished again by the Belles, however Siobhan Bell produced a superb
goal-line clearance to keep the score at 2-1 at the break.
At the start of the second half Bell scored an excellent goal to make it 2-2. She ran
from her own half and sliced through the Belles defence before firing home.
But Foyle rallied and took the lead once again before a slick team goal from St
James’ forced the contest into extra time.
St James’ started the extra period strongly and had three big chances to score but
were kept out by Belles keeper Shantell Temple, who produced some superb stops on the
night.
With the game looking like it would go to penalties the Belles created one last
chance and a great team move led to the winner and Foyle captain Terri McLaughlin
lifting the trophy.
Foyle’s scorers on the night were Laura Connolly (two), Ellie Redden and Eva
Ferguson.
Before the main event at the Shankill there was a NIFF Women’s Plate final
featuring Carnmoney Ladies from NIFF Division Three and 22nd Ladies, the Division
Four champions. And it was also a cracking game.
22nd opened the scoring only for Carnmoney to net three times and lead 3-1 at
half time.
The next goal went to 22nd Ladies and from there on it was an end to end game
with both sides creating chances.
Goalkeepers and defences were on top in the second half and in the end it was
Carnmoney who saw out the game to win 3-2 and be crowned Plate champions.
NIFF competitions are sponsored by Belfast-based Cathedral Eye Clinic, the
official eye health and laser surgery partner of the Irish Football Association and its
official futsal partner.
The NIFF women’s competitions are run by the Irish FA Foundation. Teams
representing clubs in the NIFL Danske Bank Women’s Premiership and NIWFA’s vari-
ous tiers are involved.
NIFF chair Laura Devine, Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood and Dustin Black
from Cathedral Eye Clinic presented the trophies and medals.
(irishfa.com)
Issue no. 24 - 3 March 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk