City Girls triumph in tough Cup encounter
Glasgow City Girls defeated Inverness away from home today in what was a very tough match for our girls in the SWFL League Cup Second Round.
This was always going to be a really hard match, with Inverness finishing one place outside the automatic promotion spot in the First Division last year and it proved to be as predicted.
Playing against a much stronger and more physical team, the City girls had their first full experience of the difference between youth football and senior football, but battled hard against the more experienced opposition. City took the lead in the first half through attacking midfielder Lauren McMurchie. Receiving a long pass from defence with her back to goal, McMurchie turned well and travelled 30 yards, before slotting expertly past the Inverness keeper. Composure and accuracy are two of McMurchie’s best attributes and these served the youngster well today to give her side the lead.
In the second half, Inverness fought back and equalised when a long ball over the top of the City defence was turned home by an Inverness striker. City felt they had a very good claim for offside, but were overruled by the referee and the goal stood.
At full time the score remained 1-1, meaning extra time. With City already having made 3 substitutions in normal play for injuries, the team were now toiling, with centre half Eilish McSorley particularly troubled but unable to come off with all subs used. However, all the pain proved worthwhile in the second period of extra time, when striker Lisa Evans picked the ball up just inside the Inverness half, took on the full back and raced towards goal. With the keeper rushing out to meet her, Evans expertly chipped the ball over the keeper and into the net from the edge of the box.
Unsurprisingly, Manager Richie Evans was delighted with his team. He said, “Today was a very tough match. It was a long way for us to come and the weather conditions were very difficult. We knew Inverness were a quality team, a full division above us and having played only one competitive match as a team before this one, it was the draw we had really wanted to avoid. However, the girls all worked really hard and I am proud of every single one of them. Keeper Lee Alexander was outstanding today and showed the fantastic prospect that she is. Inverness are a quality side, fast, strong and excellent on the counter attack, so to beat a team of this standard is a great confidence boost and we look forward to the draw for the next round.”
31.08.08
