Four-goal Parkview sink Ballycastle

First-half strikes by Cathy Morrow and Lauren Brady had the Doagh girls well in control against bottom side Ballycastle, before further strikes Emma Bothwell and Nicola Singleton secured the 4-0 whitewash.

“We have been improving match by match throughout the season, and this was a fantastic performance,” enthused captain, Clare McClean.

“A top-half finish is just reward for much hard work under coach Becky Linford and I was particularly pleased for Cathy Morrow, Lauren Brady and Emma Bothwell who all scored their first goals for the club,” she added.

With Brady and Toni Smallwood attacking down the flanks, the home side was on the back foot during the opening quarter, but shots by Singleton, Bothwell and Jenny Morrison failed to beat the busy home goalie.

Parkview’s first penalty corner almost produced a goal, but Singleton’s shot was cleared off the line following a neat move involving Emma Stubbs and Clare McClean.

A flowing right-wing thrust by Smallwood and Morrison produced the opening goal for Cathy Morrow, who tucked the ball into the net and shortly afterwards Brady doubled the lead from a penalty-corner.

At the opposite end, goalkeeper Kathy Morrison had been almost a spectator and the pattern continued after the break.

On the hour Stubbs found Singleton, who beat two defenders before setting it up for Bothwell to make it 3-0.

Further shots by Morrison, Singleton and Tammy Gamble failed to increase the lead, but five minutes from time Singleton completed the rout when she flicked the ball neatly beyond the reach of the keeper.