Hall, Cross and Passmore on target to see off ‘Garvey girls

While a 3-2 result may suggest an evenly-matched contest, this first-round McConnell Shield tie was fairly much dominated by Carrick.
Carrick's leading goalscorer Amy Cross increased her tally with another strike against Lisnagarvey. INLT 45-905-CONCarrick's leading goalscorer Amy Cross increased her tally with another strike against Lisnagarvey. INLT 45-905-CON
Carrick's leading goalscorer Amy Cross increased her tally with another strike against Lisnagarvey. INLT 45-905-CON

An early scare when first-choice sweeper Julie Oliver was injured in the pre-match warm-up failed to upset the home side with Jennifer Rodgers seamlessly stepping in as a more than capable replacement.

A strong Carrick midfield performance ensured the young Lisnagarvey side were regularly pinned back in their own half and for the first 10 minutes Carrick looked likely to find a way through a stretched visiting defence.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

So it came as a major shock when, on 13 minutes, a rare Lisnagarvey foray into the Carrick circle saw the ball squeezed past goalkeeper Karen Nelson when she appeared to have made a smothering save at the post.

Carrick, however, fought back immediately and within three minutes a sizzling penalty-corner strike from Natalie Hall smashed off the backboard to level matters.

Carrick recommenced after the break exactly as they had opened the match, applying constant pressure on their opponents.

And only five minutes into the second half, an Emma Nichols cross was netted by leading goalscorer, Amy Cross.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lisnagarvey fought gamely to get back into the match but Carrick increased their lead on 55 minutes when the excellent Lois Passmore crowned a Player of the Match performance with a penalty-corner goal.

Carrick continued to threaten and came close on a number of occasions, with Kelly Waide rattling the post.

A late Lisnagarvey counter attack saw the score pulled back to 3-2 causing the home side and supporters a few nervous moments until the final whistle blew.

Related topics: