GIRLS UNDER 16 LEAGUE: STRAND CELTIC 5 ARROW HARPS  1
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Match day three and Strand Celtic under 16 girls start to hit form with a well deserved 5-1 home victory over Arrow Harps on Saturday Feb 6. Goals from Laurn Boles, debutante Emma Harte and a hat trick from Emma Hansberry secured the points in a very competitive game.

In a game played in near perfect conditions visitors Arrow Harps started in a competitive frame of mind and a never say die attitude defined their play over the whole eighty minutes. After withstanding a number of forays deep into their half the home side found their feet and for the first twenty minutes their was very little to choose between the sides.

The opening score came courtesy of an Emma Hansberry free kick which she blasted straight into the net from about 25 yards. Goals change games and Strand found themselves pressing more and more against an ever persistent Arrow harps defence. Good work on the right flank saw the ball fall to Strand midfielder Lauren Boles who displayed strenth and control to break clear of the defensive cover and drive the ball past the Arrow keeper. Despite their dominant position on the scoreboard the Strand girls had to fight hard all over the pitch to stay on top of the game.

Shorthly before the break Emma Hansberry drove a long range free kick into the Arrow goalmouth only for the resultant clearance to land back art her feet. Ever skilful and composed Emma lifted the ball with her foot and lofted the ball skyward over the Arrow defence where the bounce beat the keeper and gave Strand a three nil half time advantage.

Second half was a case of more of the same with some good wing play from Edel Sheerin and midfield dominance from Emma Hansberry and Lauren Boles. New signing Emma Harte marked her debut with a fine goal when, having picked up a good pass from Edel Sheerin, she showed a nice touch to create space and place the ball beyond the Arrow keeper. Emma Hansberry capped a fine display when she picked up the ball in midfield and glided past defender after defender and finished by slipping the ball past the onrushing keeper for her third and Strand's fifth goal.

While the scoeline does not flatter the Strand girls, Arrow Harps can feel aggrieved that their unstinting efforts did not yield more than the token consolation goal which they took with some skill in the dying minutes of the match. Credit for their meagre return was due in no small measure to the fine work of the Strand team from keeper Lauren Mcgee and the back four where full backs Leah Kerrigan and Lisa Mely and centre pairing of Claire Horan and Aisling Brenan posted fine displays.

Under 16 squad:Shaina McGovern, Leah Kerrigan, Lisa Melly, Claire Horan, Aisling Brenan
Edel Sheerin, Emma Hansberry, Lauren Boles, Ashling Gilgan, Niamh Kelly, Lauren McGee, Rachel Norman, Aoife Masterson, Emma Harte, Shannon Dykes, Karen Frahill, Muireann Morrissey.