Alex deny Ladies in Cup Final

Jacqui Potter Leinster Cup Final, Grange Rd
Old Alexandra 2 Pembroke Wanderers 0

Old Alex stole away from Grange Rd yesterday, Cup under arm, after defeating the girls in a close final at Leinster HQ yesterday. Pembroke were superior in territory, posession and number of chances but the ball just would not find it’s way into the goal for an equalizer and Alex’s late break-away goal glossed over the story of the tie.

Alex enjoyed their best moments of the game in the opening 10 mins, Pembroke seemed slow out of the blocks and when the ball was overturned on the 25 Danielle Costigan powered her way through to give Alex an early lead. This seemed to awaken Pembroke and slowly they began to show glimpses of the controlled hockey they have been playing in recent games. Rachel McKeon, Wendy Hobson and Nats began to get a grip of midfield, Wendy winning a brilliant s/c after skipping down the sideline and cutting in from the end line. Pembroke could not convert from their numerous corners however, and Alex always felt they could grab a second – looking to attach through their right back and Roisin Flinn.

1-0 halftime, Pembroke increased the tempo and earned 4/5 corners in the second half but still no way through. There were loud appeals for a stroke after an Alex defender kicked at a ball in the circle but the resulting short corner was cleared from the near post.

Shona went very close after chasing down and winning a ball in the opposing 25, she rounded the last defender but her parried shot and the subsequent followups where kept out by the Alex keeper.

Alex defended exceptionally well throughout and the ruthlessness required to break them down never came, and when the late goal came from Rebecca Coll after a goal mouth scramble it was always going to be an uphill battle for the Pembroke girls.

Pembroke Wanderers: Kelly Scott, Sarah Clarke, Hayley O’Donnell,Natalie Fulton, Rachel McKeon (c), Shona Doyle, Anli Kotze, Noelle Farrell, Karen Hales, Alice Ward, Orla Fox, Aoife Sherriff, Jill Collins, Hilda Maguire, Wendy Hobson, Clara Chamberlayne
Coaches: Natalie Fulton, Ian Clarke
Manager: Olga Pigott