Ballymoney Thirds progress in cup

On Saturday, Ballymoney 3rd XI faced North Down 3rd XI in the Junior Cup.

Having already faced each other this season in the league, with North Down taking the points, both teams were anxious to progress in the cup. Ballymoney started off the brighter of the two teams, with Emma Chestnutt and Morna Jardine linking up well in the middle to put in some excellent balls into the attackers.

Ballymoney were awarded a penalty corner, which Lindsey Mooney drove into the back of the net. North Down started to build on their attacks, and the defence of Katie Steele, Emma McCauley, Rebecca Martin and Ciara McGuigan were called into action.

However, North Down managed to squeeze a through ball past the back line, where an attacker picked the ball up and slotted the ball past keeper Sophie Spence.

The defence was again called into action, when North Down won a string of corners, with some excellent goalkeeper and clearances keeping the score level.

Lindsay Mooney, Emma Patton and Rebecca Wells all had attempts on goal and after a goal-line scramble, Ballymoney took the lead just before half-time.

The second half Natasha Walker continued to cause havoc on the right wing, combining with Morna Jardine in a string of one-twos, and feeding the forwards some excellent balls through.

The final goal of the came through good team play from Katie Steele, Emma Chestnutt and Emma Patton, leaving the goalkeeper no chance and leaving the score 3-1 to Ballymoney. A good win for the Thirds, who are away next week to Belfast Harlequins.