Ballymoney Firsts have a mountain to climb

BALLYMONEY 1 RANDALSTOWN 1

BALLYMONEY have left themselves with a mountain to climb if they are to overhaul Queens at the top of the league.

Club officials admit that if the want to lift the league crown they will need to win virtually every game they have left.

On Friday, Ballymoney played host to Randalstown in a Premier league fixture. Ballymoney got off to a great start, catching Randalstown unaware with great attacking play from Jessica Moore and Jessica Lynch.

The Toon had a set back early on with Emma Kernohan sustaining a hand injury, which cut her game short. Ballymoney went one up at the ten minute mark with a fantastic run from Nikki Parke who found Bridget Cleland in the circle and the centre midfield made no mistake slotting the ball past the keeper to put the Toon ahead.

The first half progressed with Ballymoney pressing Randalstown hard and Robyn Chambers was very unlucky not to get on the goal scoring sheet during a goal mouth scramble.

Credit to the Randalstown’s defence who were able to see off the immense pressure from Ballymoney’s attackers, with the score at half time ending up one nil.

The second half saw a different story with Randalstown coming out the stronger of the two teams, Ballymoney goalkeeper Sammy Jo Greer made several great saves, alongside excellent defence from Aine Kearney to keep Ballymoney ahead.

It wasn’t to be Ballymoney’s night when Randalstown were able to even the score in the 30th minute with a goal from Katherine Elkin. Unfortunately for Ballymoney it was too late for the local girls to win it and the game finished one all.

BALLYMONEY 2NDS 1 LURGAN 3RDS 1

Ballymoney 2nd XI ladies hockey team played host to Lurgan 3rd XI at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre on Saturday 12th January.

Having suffered their only defeat in the league to this team earlier in the season, the girls knew they would be up against tough opposition. Although the home side were determined not to have a repeat of their last meeting with this team, they took some time to get into their stride and were unable to convert any chances that came their way.

Lurgan played long balls from their backs putting pressure on Ballymoney’s defence. Some great saves from goalkeeper Kate McKane kept the score 0-0 at half time.

After a much needed team talk at half time from coach Diane Kirgan, Ballymoney started the second half strong piling pressure on Lurgan’s defenders and goalkeeper.

The break finally came when Jess Moore had a great run up the left hand side, swept the ball into the penalty spot and Olivia Kearney was well positioned to put the ball in the back of the net.

‘Money had more chances to seal the win but were unable to get a second. Lurgan had few chances in the second half, however in the final minute of the game, they were awarded a penalty corner and were able to equalise. With no time for the home side to get a winner, the match ended 1-1.

BALLYMONEY 3RDS 1 VICTORIANS 4THS 0

On Saturday 12th January Ballymoney thirds faced off against Victorians at the Joey Dunlop centre.

The Toon girls expected a hard fought match. When the two teams met at the start of the season Ballymoney had the edge and they hoped to get another win against the Belfast based team.

From the first whistle Ballymoney went out with the determination to win, linking up some great passes between the midfield and forwards. The forwards of Emma Patton, Lynsay Mooney and Cara Ferguson produced some talented play and were unlucky not to score on a few occasions in The first half.

However after a lot of end to end play it was 10mins into the second half before a goal was scored, Emma Patton’s beautifully placed strike hit the backboard to the Toon’s players and supporters joy.

Victorians had their chances but the Ballymoney defence and midfield held strong to the final whistle, securing another crucial win. The 3rd XI would like to thanks the umpires and the supporters and Lynn Mc Cartney for the time and support.

* Fixtures - Saturday matches are: 2nds home v Randalstown 2nds in McConnell Shield; 3rds away to Priorians at 4pm.

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