Carrick find Portadown just too hot to handle

Carrick Ladies 0

THERE was no change for Carrick Ladies 1st XI on Saturday afternoon when, for the fourth time this season, they failed to overcome Senior Two table-toppers Portadown. Having already lost to Portadown in both of this season’s primary knockout competitions, the Irish Hockey Trophy and the McConnell Shield, Carrick had hoped their return league fixture, sponsored by Dobbins Inn Hotel, might finally produce even a single point. But the home side proved once again too hot to handle.

“At least that’s us finally finished with Portadown this season,” said Carrick captain Christine Waide after the game. “But we still have a lot of difficult games ahead of us and we absolutely need to rack up a few good wins in the league if we’re to stay in Senior Two next season.

“Our next two weekend games are both at home, against Grosvenor and Dungannon and we need to make that home advantage count. We unfortunately haven’t been strong at home this season but there can be no more excuses, we’ve just got to get out there and win matches,” added Christine. Carrick Ladies are sponsored by Holmes Builders.

North Down 1

Carrick Ladies 2nd XI 1

Carrick Ladies 2nd XI may have severely damaged their league promotion ambitions on Saturday afternoon when they were disappointingly held to a 1-1 draw by lower placed North Down. A Melissa Taylor goal was cancelled out by a North Down equaliser and Carrick were unable to find the winning goal to maintain their promotion challenge.

“With league hockey there’s absolutely no margin for error,” said Carrick spokesperson Peter Stevenson after the match. “We’ve unfortunately picked up more than our fair share of injuries this season and if we can’t consistently field our strongest team, we’re not likely to grab one of those top two promotion positions. It’s really as simple as that. We had to include a sizeable number of our third team players in the squad at North Down and while they all did a good job individually, the team will inevitably suffer as players take time to settle to their new positions.

“Today’s result leaves us two points adrift of second placed Dromore and on the same number of games. As we’ve already played them twice, we’re now relying on other teams taking points off them and that’s never an ideal position to be in, especially with only five matches left. We obviously haven’t given up on the chase but it’s just become a lot more difficult for us!” added Peter. Carrick Ladies II are sponsored by Penrose Roofing.

Saintfield 1

Carrick Ladies 3rd XI 3

Carrick Ladies 3rd XI faced a difficult away trip to a Saintfield side that had so far conceded only three goals in this season’s entire league programme.

On an unfamiliar gravel surface, Carrick started slowly and allowed Saintfield to take a 1-0 lead from the first half. The second half, however, was a totally different affair as the Carrick girls started to find their passes and increase the pressure. This eventually paid off when no fewer than three goals were scored in quick succession from Karen McKay and Karen Nelson, both players getting on the score sheet for the second week running.

Carrick worked hard all over the pitch, with honourable mentions needing to go to Ashley McConnell and Julie Wilson, two of the team’s more experienced players who continue to set a superb example week in, week out, with their determination and will to win every match.

Carrick’s third team are now clearly working as a unit, enjoying their hockey, and their hard work is certainly paying off in the excellent and consistent winning results now being achieved.

Carrick Ladies are sponsored by James Bowman Hair and Beauty.

This coming weekend’s fixtures for Carrick Ladies Hockey Club are: 1st XI home to Grosvenor (Senior league fixture sponsored by Dobbins Inn Hotel); 2nd XI to be announced; 3rd XI to be announced.