Saval Girls are Down Champions

Down Ladies Under 16 Final

Saval 4-6   Bryansford 4-2

Last Sunday the Girls travelled to RGU Downpatrick and came back as Down League Champions with a win over arch rivals Bryansford.

This was Saval’s biggest test so far this season. They had to work hard against a determined and well organised Ford side. It was not until the last quarter that Saval finally began to dominate.

Saval took time to settle in the first half and it was Bryansford who pointed first .This score was quickly cancelled out by a fine Lorraine Havern point. Bryansford quickly added another point. A Lorraine Havern special sidestepping two defenders and blasting the ball to the roof of the net should have settled Saval but this was not to be, a defensive mix up let Bryansford  in for a goal . This did not seem to deter the young Saval side and they quickly hit back with two points from Lorraine Havern and two from Natashya Lennon. It was now end to end football with both sides guilty of not taking scores. Bryansford urged on by their formidable midfield pairing were rewarded with a goal. Once again Saval game back this time it was Natashya Lennon who hit a fine goal. With the half coming to a close Bryansford came  storming back with a great goal of their own to leave the half time score :

Saval 2-5 Bryansford 3-2

The second half began very much as the first half ended with end to end football with both sides giving their all. This time it was Saval’s turn to opening the scoring and it was Lorraine Havern who was to score a fine goal. Bryansford almost immediately struck back with a great goal to leave the sides level once again. This was to be Bryansford only score of the second half.

In the last quarter Saval began to take control with Natashya Lennon hitting a point and the same player had a goal disallowed. With more pressure being put on the Ford defence, it finally paid off with Natashya Lennon getting her second goal. There was only going to be one winner now and it was Saval.

Overall this was a good team performance taking into account that four players: Natashya Lennon, Lorraine Havern, Eimear Kane and Laura Jayne Hehir were playing their third match within four days having played for their school on Thursday and their county on Saturday. A remarkably performance from the quartet. Other big performances came from Grace and Claudia Cole and Rachel O’ Hare in defence. Captain Niamh McGowan led by example at midfield.  

The management team of Anthony Crozier and Damien Lennon can be proud of what the girls have achieved so far this season.