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The Lakers fell to their first defeat of the season following a disappointing display away to Cliftonville Ladies in the National League.
Five minutes into the game Cliftonville created their first chance from a corner kick when Loughgall failed to clear the danger and a Cliftonville striker shot just over the bar from close range. The scoring was opened on ten minutes when the Lakers stood off from their players and allowed a clear shot on goal for a Cliftonville striker who buried the ball into the top corner of the net. Three minutes later Loughgall almost went level when the lively Philippa Toal was put through on goal; however the striker was denied by a superb save from the Cliftonville ‘keeper Tiarna McKenna. On twenty minutes Cliftonville added their second when poor communication in the Lakers defence cost them dearly and their third goal was added through a corner on thirty five minutes following poor defending in the box. Immediately after, Loughgall created a good opportunity when Rebecca Capper played an excellent ball into Toal, but the striker was unfortunate to see her shot go just wide of the post with the ‘keeper beaten. Just before the half, the Lakers pulled one goal back through Capper who headed in at the back post.
The second half proved to be a much closer affair as Loughgall endeavoured to make up for their first half display. Unfortunately within the first five minutes of the second half Cliftonville scored their fourth goal of the game. The initial shot was well saved by ‘keeper Michelle Stephens but it was parried out into the path of a Cliftonville midfielder who unmarked, placed the ball in the corner of the net. The Lakers created a number of chances during the second half but the Cliftonville ‘keeper McKenna stood firm and pulled of some superb saves. With ten minutes remaining, Toal got the goal she deserved when Stacey Hamilton played a defence splitting ball through to her. Toal controlled well and beat her marker before running in to place the ball past ‘keeper McKenna.
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