Ballymoney 1st XI hold Portadown to draw in away league match

With excellent play down the right from Katherine Minihan and Laura McCurdy Ballymoney created some great chances narrowly missing them, as Portadown’s keeper and defence proved tough.

Things quickly turned as Portadown won a penalty corner. After breaking the line twice, Ballymoney were left with two defenders in a penalty corner.

With this Portadown managed to secure a 1-0 score. Not letting this get to them Ballymoney continued to display some excellent hockey with great work from Bridget Cleland and Aine Kearney.

Ballymoney again managed to create some narrowly missed opportunities from Nikki Parke and Diane McNeill. Ballymoney also managed to win a few penalty corners during this however again Portadown proved strong. Half time 1-0 to Portadown.

At the start of the second half Ballymoney again came out strong determined to put something on the score board. Again play was strong throughout from Suzannah Brown and Cathryn Knipe.

Ballymoney continued to put pressure on Portadown defence creating many opportunities in the circle. After players such as Rachel Minihan and Katherine Gawne managed to win a few penalty corner Ballymoney finally managed to secure a goal. After a slip left from Nikki Parke, Laura McCurdy managed to score sweeping the ball straight into the net.

This left the score now 1-1. After this Ballymoney were again motivated and continued to display excellent hockey. Portadown did manage to make some breaks however Ballymoney defence remained strong with great work from Lesley Davis.

The game ended with a 1-1 draw. Thanks Portadown, the umpires, coach Richard Fairman and Bonds Jewellers our sponsors.

THIRDS

Ballymoney thirds welcomed Banbridge ladies on Saturday at home. The game started off well for the opposition, winning a penalty corner early into the game. Fortunately Ballymoney’s superb defending from Maria Doherty and Ciara McGuigan kept the game scoreless at this stage in the game. Ballymoney fought back and added more pressure to Banbridge and thanks to the outstanding midfielders and seamless passing throughout, the ball was dominantly in Ballymoney’s possession for the first half of the game. Half time 0-0. The second half commenced and after many attempts to push forward, Ballymoney midfielder Sara Carr dominated on the right wing, with centre midfield Karen Taggart supporting her consistently throughout. Sara Carr finally claimed a long corner for Ballymoney, hitting the ball with precision into the oppositions circle, and midfielder Shirlene McFeeley finishing it off with a clean sweep right into the left hand corner of the goals, leading Ballymoney to a 1-0 victory. Strong defending from Judith McCracken, Erin Ramsey and Ellen in nets (for her first time) meant Ballymoney came out 1-0 winners.