Ballyclare Ladies scrapping for survival after Armagh defeat

Ballyclare in action against Armagh in their Senior One game. INNT 07-009-PSB

The win all but confirmed the Armagh girls as champions, for one more success will assure them of promotion to the top tier.

Leading 4-1 at the interval, the visitors added two more to secure a 6-1 victory that leaves Vikki Milligan’s girls in the bottom two alongside Larne.

The visitors opened the scoring with a penalty flick, after the ball had been stopped on the line by a defender’s foot, but almost immediately the scores were level again when Jaquie Hanley rattled the backboard.

This reverse spurred the former senior side on to greater efforts, and they added three more without reply before the break.

In the second half the hosts created several scoring chances with fine link-ups by Suzanne Dickey and Caroline Darragh, but they were unable to get the ball in to the net.

When impressive central defender Jade Purdy had to retire with an ankle injury, Armagh added two more to finish comprehensive winners.

Ballyclare Ladies panel: S Coulter; G McMaw, J Purdy, L Ashcroft, R Campbell, J Jones, C Darragh, S Dickey, J Hanley, V Milligan (C), R Beattie, B Aiken, E Gamble.

Cathy Morrow’s solitary strike earned Parkview Ladies full points from their Senior 4 clash with Instonians.

The win at Foundry Lane leap-frogged the Doagh girls over their opponents on goal difference and into the top half of the table.

Instonians bossed the early stages, but strong tackling by Emma Stubbs and Penny Purdy ensured that keeper Kathy Morrison was not tested.

Three penalty corners stretched the visiting defence, but shots by Clare McClean, Jenny Wallace and Toni Smallwood were scrambled clear, so the scorecard was still blank at the interval.

Wallace and Jenny Morrison began to shine on the right flank, but their crosses in to the circle were cleared before Parkview got the decisive score.

A well-rehearsed penalty corner routine involving Wallace, McCullough and McClean resulted in Morrow deftly flicking the ball in to the net from close range.

Girl of the Game: midfielder Brooke McCullough.

On Saturday Parkview will be off to Lurgan for a Senior Plate second round tie.