Fourths heat up on a bitterly cold afternoon

Once again Dromore Ladies had a good squad present with a couple of players returning to the team for the first time this season.

The game began at 4pm and with Dromore winning the toss. Resident First XI coach Nicola Clements took the first touch of the game. Nicola immediately went on the attack straight for the Lisnagarvey circle only to be brought heavily to the ground by an over enthusiastic tackle from the visitors.

The resulting free was gathered up by the Lisnagarvey defence and the play returned for a time to the Dromore half.

Dromore girls displayed some great defensive work during this period of the game, especially the younger girls, Hayley McQuaid and Jenny Winson who marked their players in a textbook manner and displayed great composure under pressure.

Dromore soon began to settle into the game and the midfield team of Amy Glover, Emma Johnston and Andrea Wilson started to turn the game around with every opportunity that came their way. Andrea won some great tussles on the right and drove the ball toward the forwards.

One of the passes was neatly picked up by Gemma Crawford on the wing who sent the ball across the goal line where Nicola Clements was perfectly placed to drive the ball into the back of the net.

Lisnagarvey were not disheartened at all and regrouped to make further attempts for goal in the Dromore circle. A couple of deflected high balls in a row from Dromore sticks gave Lisnagarvey two short corners. Dromore’s Emma Johnston however made great haste of the line on both occasions scuppering Lisnagarvey’s efforts.

Just before the end of the first half Hayley McQuaid made a great interception in the middle of the pitch and passed neatly to Emma Johnston in midfield.

This was the first time playing center midfield for Emma and she looked a natural as she carried the ball around a number of Lisnagarvey defenders into the circle. Once again Nicola Clements was perfectly placed to slot Emma’s shot behind the Lisnagarvey keeper leaving the Dromore ladies breaking for half-time 2-0 up.

Lisnagarvey came out strong in the second half with a few changes up front. This left the Dromore defence under a bit of pressure but they worked hard to keep any challenges under control.

Kathryn Bigger made some good tackles and interceptions playing as right midfield, a new position for her this week.

Thanks to Kathryn’s efforts here the play began to move forward for Dromore again but nothing really pressured the visitors defence.

The most notable attack from Dromore was when a long pass was picked up by Kiera Walker, who was lying high as center forward, but the resulting one-on-one with the Lisnagarvey keeper didn’t go Dromore’s way. When the final whistle blew the score remained 2-0 in the Dromore ladies favour.

The player of the match was awarded to Emma Johnston for showing much improved effort and determination in the middle of the field. The ladies would like to thank Allyson McMullan and Thomas Sturgeon for umpiring.