Marshall brace helps Bangor Ladies get off the mark in Challenge Cup
By Lewis Bennett
OLIVIA Marshall netted twice as Bangor Ladies came from behind to secure their passage to the second round of the Irish FA Women’s Challenge Cup, beating Strabane Athletic Ladies 3-2 at the Melvin Park Arena on Friday night.
The Seasiders’ previous game, a 4-1 victory over Ballyclare Comrades Ladies, was played nine days earlier and while there were initial signs of rustiness in their return to action against Strabane, they eventually got up and running.
Bangor found themselves trailing to a Bronagh McKinley strike with just 17 minutes on the clock, but they never let their heads drop, levelling through Marshall and snatching the lead with the help of a Stacey Johnston own goal by 70-minute mark.
Strabane hit back, levelling thanks to Shantell Temple’s composure in front of goal, yet it was Marshall’s second of the game that settled the scoring.
The Yellows, aiming to right the wrongs of their disappointing Championship Cup exit in May, suffered an early blow when McKinley fired divisional rivals Strabane ahead just before the mid-way point in the first half.
Rory Hamill’s side rallied and grabbed a leveller four minutes before the break, through this season’s top scorer Marshall, ensuring that the teams could not be split on the scoreline at the interval.
Not even the break could disrupt Bangor’s momentum, as they pressed on after the restart and took the lead when Strabane’s Johnston turned the ball into her own net.
Frustratingly, the hosts responded immediately, with Temple rippling the net straight from kick-off, leaving the sides locked together at two goals apiece going into the final 20 minutes.
There was still enough time for the away side to have the final say, and they did so 12 minutes from time, as the prolific Marshall made it a second brace in as many matches, taking her tally for the season to 13 goals from nine games in all competitions.
Bangor Ladies now face a three-week wait for their next return to action, with the Championship pausing for the annual summer recess, before they welcome Ballymena United Women to Clandeboye Park for an 8pm kick-off on Wednesday, July 8.
