Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup
Bangor FC Ladies 0
Derry City Women 3
Lewis Bennett at Clandeboye Park
BANGOR FC Ladies exited the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup at the quarter-final stage with a 3-0 defeat to Derry City Women on a sunny Sunday at Clandeboye Park.
The Sports Direct Women’s Premiership side arrived with the favourites tag bestowed upon them for this last-eight clash and ultimately lived up to the billing, with Chris Dougan’s Seasiders bowing out on the back of their best-ever run in the showpiece women’s tournament.
Derry drew first blood 18 minutes into proceedings as Ellen McDermott broke the deadlock for a rotated Candystripes line-up, however it was a mainstay in the in-form Tara O’Connor-Farren who added their second – the 23-year-old’s ninth goal in five matches just after the hour mark.
A fighting effort from Bangor to mount a comeback followed, but progression was secured for Paul Dixon’s Derry when substitute Ellie Long hit the target to secure a semi-final place for the away side who joined Cliftonville Ladies, Glentoran Women and Lisburn Rangers Ladies in the competition’s remaining quartet.
Meanwhile, another knock-out encounter is Bangor’s focus this Sunday when they will be bidding to reach a second successive Super Cup Final.
The Seasiders entertain Greenisland Women – who they will face in the NIWFA Championship next year on the back of winning the Division One title – in this weekend’s semi-final, with the winners going on to face either Belfast Celtic Ladies or Ballymoney United Ladies who face off the following day.
Bangor eliminated Civil Service Ladies from contention at the death to book their slot in this last-four encounter, while Greenisland shocked Ballyclare Comrades Ladies 6-0 at Dixon Park to show that they will be no pushover. Kick-off at Clandeboye Park is 3pm.
