HOCKEY: Amy Cross named Carrick captain for new campaign

Now into her eighth year with the club, 22-year-old Amy has been a consistent performer for Carrick Ladies ever since her arrival, winning both the ‘Most Improved Player’ and ‘Players’ Player of the Year’ awards during her initial period with their 2nd XI.

Over the past number of years she has been a first-choice starter with the 1st XI and last season topped the club’s goalscoring table.

She has also been a major asset to Carrick’s Junior Hockey club where she is a highly competent and popular coach.

Club president Peter Stevenson welcomed the appointment saying: “Amy is a highly-respected and popular member of Carrick Ladies and with her quiet but determined demeanour, will undoubtedly make an excellent first-team captain.

“We wish her all the best for the coming season beginning with our first league match this coming weekend when we meet Owls at 2:30pm at Carrick Amphitheatre.”

Carrick came back from a goal down to defeat Northern Ireland Civil Service 4-1 in a recent friendly match.

Cross got the ball rolling with a back-post tap-in for the equaliser. Shortly after, Natasha McWilliams, now restored to her forward role, finished a neat Carrick build-up to put the home team into the lead.

Emma Nichols struck the third from the edge of the circle and late into the game Kelly Waide struck home a rebounding ball off the goalkeeper’s kicker. And but for some amazing saves from NICS goalkeeper it couldhave been a lot more than four