Ard luck story for ‘town

It was a scrappy first half with neither side stamping their authority on the game and, only a series of short corners caused the opposite goal keepers to be called into action.

Ards won four short corners in the first half, of which Randalstown goal keeper Emma Teggarty pulled off some excellent saves to prevent any goals. Randalstown too replied with some well executed short corners. One of which, Katherine Elkin passed to Nicole Moore whose sweeping shot went just wide of the far post.

Randalstown, knowing only one goal would most likely seal the victory came out more determined in the second half. Some good early pressure on the Ards defenders won possession up the field, but Randalstown were unable to turn this into productive play in the final third.

It was Ards who then stepped up their game and piled more pressure on the Randalstown defence. A succession of five short corners however, was well defended again by the Randalstown back line who looked determined to keep a clean sheet.

Randalstown then continued to look dangerous on the counter attack. Katherine Elkin played an early long ball to Jayne McGrillen, who played in CJ McDonald, who’s early shot was fired just wide of the post. Randalstown continued attacking winning numerous long corners and trying to work the ball into the circle, but Ards defended well, closing down the Randalstown players, and preventing any real danger.

Ards then won their eleventh short corner of the match, and with that broke the deadlock. Emma Teggarty did well to save the initial shot, but was powerless to the quick rebound from the Ards forward.

With only five minutes remaining Randalstown tried to push for an equaliser but Ards defended well to hold out for a victory.

A harsh blow for Randalstown in a match where a draw would possibly have been a better reflection on the game. Randalstown now need to pick themselves up as they have another important match home against Queens on Friday.

Randalstown: E Teggarty, C McGrillen, A Grant, E Knox, L McAlpine, C Burns, L Creighton, K Elkin, N Moore, J McGrillen, C-J McDonald, E Reid, A Jones, J Atkinson.

SECONDS

Randalstown Seconds travelled to Lurgan on a cold Thursday night to play, what one could consider, a league-title-determining match, as first place played second.

It was Lurgan who started the brighter in the first half of the match, as they had the ball up in the Randalstown circle straight from the pass-back.

The away side struggled to cope with Lurgan’s 4-4-2 formation which meant that Lurgan were overloading the midfield.

However, the introduction of Emily Reid after 15 minutes seemed to help settle the formation off-balance as she sat in deep, between the midfield and forwards, allowing Jayne McGrillen and Naomi Harkness to play as a 2-player front line. This certainly made a dramatic change as Randalstown soon started applying more pressure on the Lurgan defence.

With 5 minutes to go before half time, Randalstown mid field worked the ball well around the circle with sharp passing between Catherine McGrillen, Rachel Young, and Emma Clark, before it opened up for Emily Reid to shoot, whose shot was fired just over the top bar.

A good team talk from Miranda Hassard and Emma Clark definitely seemed to motivate the girls. Jess Kidd and Amy Jones came on for the second half and definitely didn’t shy away from any tackles.

In the first ten minutes of the second half, Randalstown won two consecutive short corners. Both were slipped right to Catherine McGrillen, who on both occasions got a shot away, however, the Lurgan defenders were willing throwing themselves in front of the ball to prevent conceding a goal.

However, with Randalstown pressing hard for a winning goal, they were susceptible to the counter attack, especially as Lurgan were a very fast breaking team who defend and then attack in high numbers.

The final whistle sounded and so the points were shared between the two teams. Lurgan will look well on this draw leaving them still in second and in contention for the league title. Randalstown will also see this as a good result leaving them still top of the league.

Captain Becky Grant said “it was a well fought draw against a strong physical team”.

Seconds: P Doreman, K Graham, E McClurkin, C McGrillen, M Hassard, A Jones, E Clarke, R. Young, J McGrillen, E Reid, J Kidd, N Harkness, J Kidd.

Knock II 0, Randalstown II 8: After a scoreless draw in midweek, Randalstown found their scoring boots against Knock on Saturday.

Naomi was first to get her name on the score sheet from a short corner closely followed by a great reverse shot from Grace-Louise.

Kerry Coulter got the third making the score 3-0. Half-time team talk kept the girls in green focused and set a target of a score of 8-0!

With short passing, some great runs and good communication it wasn’t long before Naomi added her second and ‘Town’s fourth goal!

Vice captain Emma Clarke put town 5 in front with young Alex Graham’s deflection increasing the score to 6-0 in Randalstown’s favour.

Jess Kidd added number 7 for town and Kerry Coulter put the finishing touches to the game with goal number 8.

FOURTHS

Randalstown took on their top of the table rivals Grosvenor II at the Antrim Forum on Saturday afternoon.

Randalstown started a little nervously and allowed Grosvenor to attack the Randalstown goal. However, the defence of Julie Clarke, Danielle Rooney, Ashley Nesbitt and Lynne Herbison were able to deal with this initial pressure.

Gillian Weir had a number of penetrating runs into the Grosvenor circle, but was unable to convert this pressure into goals. Kirsten Black, in mid-field, supported her forwards well. The girls went into the break 0-0.

After the half time talk the girls knew they could not be complacent and started the second half more assertively.

Debbie Wilson, Lisa Thomas and Karen Clyde kept the momentum going for Ranadalstown but with 5 minutes to go Randalstown were put under pressure from a determined Grosvenor team who were also pressing hard for the win.

Rebecca Greenfield dealt well with a few final attacks by the visiting team, however, the game finished 0-0.

FIFTHS

Priorians III 4, Randalstown V 0: With Priorians sitting at top of their league, and the Randalstown girls having to make the tiring journey to Londonderry, the team were well aware that this match would be a challenging one. The 1 oclock starting time meant the Randalstown team were missing several of their schoolgirls.

As the match began, Priorians immediatley took the upper hand and were able to slot an early goal past an unsuspecting Randalstown defence. However, the Randalstown girls fought back, earning several penalty and long corners, but unfortunately none of these could be converted into goals.

The home side kept up their pace throughout the first half and minutes before the end of the half were able to double their lead.

After a quick half time talk, the Randalstown girls emerged refreshed and determined, however Priorians reiterated their dominance by scoring again just minutes after the pass back, when their left wing ran down the pitch, and crossed into the circle to get another goal.

It was with just minutes to go that Priorians got their fourth goal of the day, clearly illustrating why they are top of the league. They won a free and a long ball was deflected into the circle and a first time shot gave the Randalstown keeper no chance of saving.