HOCKEY: Carrick Ladies through to Junior Cup quarter-finals

With a first-round 3-1 victory against Dromore already under their belts, the young Carrick outfit appeared determined to give a good account of themselves right from the outset as they took the early part of the game by storm, regularly pinning down their opponents deep in their own half.

With the Randalstown defence struggling, it came as no surprise when Carrick’s Lauren McDowell, producing what was probably her best ever performance for her team, raided deep into Randalstown territory to deliver an inch perfect pass to Katie Mitchell, who deftly netted for the opening goal of the game.

Only a short time later, Mitchell was again on hand to hammer the ball in off the Randalstown goalkeeper’s feet to put Carrick two up.

Randalstown, to their credit, attempted to get back into the game but Carrick goalkeeper Becca Whiteside was rarely troubled with her hard working midfield and defence easily breaking down their opponents’ attacks.

Carrick opened the second half with the entire team focused on extending their lead.

It proved a busy afternoon for the Randalstown goalkeeper who, on more than one occasion, pulled off some excellent blocking saves to deny Carrick going further ahead.

But the goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Carrick’s highly promising right-sided attacker, Jessica McKee, from getting on the scoresheet when her narrowly angled shot found the inside of the far post to put Carrick 3-0 ahead.

With the game entering its final phase, Carrick for some reason became sloppy in defence allowing their opponents to pull back two goals in quick succession.

However, it all proved too little too late for Randalstown and the final whistle blew to herald a thoroughly deserved Carrick victory taking the delighted young team into this season’s UHU Junior Cup quarter finals, which will be played on Saturday January 30.

Carrick’s player of the match was Katie Mitchell.