Foyle Hockey Juniors excel

FOYLE Under 13 mixed junior hockey team did well at Castlederg recently.

Looking well in their new Foyle junior shirts they were playing like a totally different squad from last time. This was a totally great performance and one to be proud of with lots of grit and tenacity displayed as the lead altered on occasion between the teams.

High praise to Foyle goalie Jamie McKee who looked very suited indeed to his role. Good distribution and link play through Eve Stanley in midfield Anna McCord left wing. Meanwhile Lucia Callaghan, Lee Cummings (capt) and Jill Jeffrey shored up the defence feeding front players Hanna Keyes and Rachel Porter.

It certainly looked like they were having fun too as smiles broke across their faces after equalising twice through Eve Stanley who battled fearlesly for every ball in midfield. She was in the middle of nearly every play and then linked with Lee who skillfully dodged several tackles to beat the keeper and take the lead for the first time.

With some more left to give Castlederg fought back to find a third equaliser after several rebounds off the keeper's pads.

Castlederg retook the initiative and piled on further pressure down the right to cross inch perfect at the touch line beyond the keeper's reach and exquisitely weighted for their striker to slap home point blank.

Finally the experience of the hosts saw the ball recycled to stretch the play. Quick free on the edge taken to expose a tiring defence and unsighted keeper.

Goal scorers for Foyle Hockey Club included E Stanley (2) and L Cummings (1).