Garvey ladies continue to pick up points with a fine win against Harlequins

On a rare circle penetration Harlequins won their first penalty corner and the subsequent shot struck a Garvey foot on the line. Caroline Reid in the Garvey goal was unlucky not to save the resultant penalty stroke after managing to get an arm to the ball. The goal allowed Harlequins to take a 1-0 lead somewhat against the run of play.

Garvey immediately attacked with renewed energy, particularly down the right side with Rose Montgomery impressing throughout. They were rewarded for all their hard work when Anya Coffey pounced on a loose ball in the circle after a surging forward run by Sara Colgan. This levelled the scores at 1-1 and Garvey nudged ahead after a composed finish by Diane Robb from a cross shot that came to her at an awkward height off the goalkeeper. Diane then popped up to score again and put Garvey 3-1 ahead with a back post finish from a Laura Murray penalty corner cross-shot.

Garvey started the second half as they had played the first, winning most of the fifty-fifty confrontations and generally dominating the game. A succession of penalty corners came and went before Garvey finally scored again through a Laura Murray direct penalty corner shot from the left side of the circle. With the score at 4-1 Garvey were content to keep Harlequins at bay in their own half and play a counter attacking style. Garvey conceded another stroke following a Harlequins counter attack to make the score 4-2 but some resolute defending closed out the game with few further scares.

This was an impressive and mature performance from the Garvey Ladies. Lisnagarvey coach Simon Toole said it was “a hard fought but well deserved win”. Garvey travel to Ballymoney next week.