Skem Athletic put in a fine performance to beat Dynamo Rangers

Apr 23 2009 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

Dynamo Rangers0

Skem Athletic7

THE League Champions put in another great team performance against their close neighbours Dynamo Rangers in the season’s penultimate game.

On a hot sunny afternoon, the match got off to a scorching pace, with both sides tussling to gain the early advantage.

Dynamo bossed the midfield in the early stages until their opponents found their rhythm and took control.

Athletic surged forward with pace and conviction, eventually finding the net on nine minutes when Mayumi Gillam slotted home from an excellent corner for Athletics’ first of the match.

With their heads up Dynamo pushed for an early equaliser, Megan Woodward leading the assault for the Rangers who pressured the visitors, their attack only thwarted by solid defensive play from Emma Valentine, Sam Chadwick and Sarah Wroblewski who kept Dynamo’s threat at bay.

Athletic rode the storm and came back the stronger, replying with the second goal from striker Leah Duffey who finished superbly after excellent interplay and movement from her fellow strikers to put Athletic 2-0 ahead before the break.

The heat of the day now matched the play in the second period, with both sides battling hard in the spring sunshine, Dynamo searching for an early reply and Athletic looking to add to their tally, which they did when Laura Butler notched up a third for Athletic, then minutes later curling in a sublime shot from just inside the box to put Athletic 4-0 in front.

Athletic began to open up their play with fantastic runs from both wingers Mayumi Gillam and Abigail Lynott who posed all sorts of questions for the Rangers defence, coupled with a rugged, determined display from Skem’s Gabby Buckley, it wasn’t long before Athletic added a fifth when a wonderful passing move ended in striker Olivia Weedall clinically firing home her first of the match.

With a tight grip on the game, Athletic began to play with renewed confidence and flair, passing and moving with ease and precision they soon notched up a sixth goal when a Dynamo clearance fell to the feet of Skem’s Gabby Buckley who rifled home a superb shot from distance.

A spirited Dynamo never gave up, attacking their opponent’s goal whenever they could, only brilliant goal keeping from Chloe McMaster keeping a clean sheet for the visitors. Olivia Weedall completed the scoring for Athletic, rounding off an exceptional team display from the Champions who finished the match 7-0 winners.