Ballymena Hockey Club round-up: Men draw comfort against title favourites

BALLYMENA ended their recent run of poor results with a hard fought 1-1 draw against league favourites Cliftonville on Saturday.

Ballymena faced the same side only two weeks ago, in the semi-final of the Irish Hockey Challenge, and were comprehensively beaten 3-0 so this result served as some consolation and as a morale boost for the side.

Ballymena had a distinct spring in their step in the opening stages of this game, out battling and out witting their opponents. The forward line of Lowry, McKeown, Allison and McKelvey ran the host’s defenders ragged creating time and space which enabled the Ballymena midfield to control the game.

Cliftonville succumbed to the aggressive nature of the visitor’s offensive early on and conceded the first short corner of the tie. McKeown laid the ball off to Alexander at the back post, who slotted in the deflection past a bewildered Cliftonville keeper to make it 1-0.

The rest of the first half was all Ballymena with them virtually camped out in the hosts half. Indeed the visitor’s keeper, Eddie Hampton, didn’t have to make a single save, in stark contrast to his work load during the semi-final match.

With Ballymena only leading by a single goal after the break they surely realised that they should have made more of the opportunities afforded them in the 
first half.

However, this wasn’t to be and a rejuvenated Cliftonville began to assert their authority on the game and their persistence eventually paid off, with a goal out of nothing. A short corner which was not properly defended and a feeble attempt at a drag flick somehow bobbled past Hampton in goals to restore parity for the hosts.

Credit to the Ballymena defence then who held on for a well-deserved draw and valuable point. This performance by the Ballymena men smacked of a side who could play with the best and they should be proud of the sheer commitment and hockey prowess returned by the squad.

Ballymena: Eddie Hampton, Chris Hogg (capt), Andrew Bell, David McDonald, Andrew Shields, Andrew Crooks, Clive Fulton, Alex McKeown, Patrick McKeown, Tim Lowry, Mark Allison, Tory Alexander, Andrew McKelvey, Matt O’Neill.

LADIES

North Down 0, Ballymena 0: As their previous encounter, only three weeks ago, resulted in a narrow victory for Ballymena, the visitors were under no illusions as to how tough this tie would be as this time, their opponents had home advantage.

This outcome of this game would ultimately determine Ballymena’s league ranking and therefore carried additional relevance.

It was Down who seized the initiative, as play commenced, piling on relentless pressure in the circle with efficient passing and intelligent breaks.

The Ballymena defence held firm though, in no small measure due to the prowess of goalkeeper Emma Leslie who by virtue of her gutsy performance surely kept the visitors hopes alive during this passage of play.

It took Ballymena some time to come to terms with the poor condition of the pitch but they soon found their form and were unlucky not to find the net, on several occasions, after some super balls from the midfield that were picked up on the run! In the final minutes of the half the visitors were awarded two penalty corners which Morrison struck with authority but both were saved by the Down keeper 0-0 at the break.

The visitors’ inability to find the back of the Down net frustrated a team who really should have put this tie to bed.

Nonetheless a valuable point for the visitors who, with one remaining match, against Lisnagarvey on Tuesday night, could play out their season with a respectable third or fourth place, depending on the outcome!

Ballymena: Leslie, Allen, Morrison, Mcburney, McCracken, Dickson, Reynolds , Linford, Duncan, Gillespie, Logan, Young, McMullan, Kennedy.

Saintfield 2, Ballymena II 0: As play commenced Ballymena got off to a good start and immediately forced a penalty corner which unfortunately they failed 
to convert.

The visitors continued to probe the Saintfield defence and were rewarded with a penalty stroke. Stephanie Storey was delegated the honours and an uncharacteristic miss, on her part, was another opportunity gone begging.

Saintfield continued to threaten on the break and it was they who were first to break the deadlock, all be it with a scrappy mis-hit strike, but a goal none the less 1-0.

Saintfield were relentless and despite the efforts of keeper Laura Logan and were rewarded with their second goal just before the break.

The hosts were awarded a number of penalty corners in the dying embers of this game but the Ballymena defence closed them down and they were afforded no further attempts at goal.

Certainly the second half was more fruitful for Ballymena, with respect to match statistics, but unfortunately this was not rewarded by a single goal.

Seconds: Laura Logan, Ashleigh harbison, Kathryn kealey, Nicola Greer, Sarah Cundell, Sarah Mcbride, Lynsey McClintock, Lorna Murphy, Stephanie storey, Allison Marshall, 
Sharon Reid.

Annadale II 2, Ballymena III 0: Ballymena Ladies 3rd XI travelled to Annadale on Saturday, hoping to secure some valuable points to ease them out of the relegation zone of Junior 5.

Midway through the half though Annadale seized the initiative and Ballymena gave away a soft goal, from a short corner which evntually trickled over the line.

Unfortunately the second goal, for the host’s was soon to follow from quick left wing break and on target strike to leave Ballymena 2-0 down at the break.

Strong words from the Ballymena Captain, Sandra Dallas, at the interval rallied the visitors and following the restart their work rate improved. Pressing and hounding Annadale for every ball, Ballymena found space on the wings but couldn’t seem to tie up with the forwards. Hopefully Ballymena can reverse their fortunes when it’s their turn to host Annadale next week!

Thirds: Lauren Hanna(GK), Elaine Huey, Liz O’Kane, Sandra Dallas(C), Clara Duffy, Rebecca McPeake, Sarah Fullerton, Mandy McCombe, Jenny Paul, Rachel Ballentine, 
Sam Russell.

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