HOCKEY: Carrick’s disappointing form continues

Carrick Ladies 1st XI failed to put an end to their disappointing away form on Saturday afternoon when they went down 4-1 to recently-promoted Banbridge. And, unlike their recent defeat at Grosvenor, where a 3-1 scoreline didn’t really reflect Carrick’s fighting performance on the day, the result at Banbridge was nothing more than the visitors deserved.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Oct 2012, 00:05 BST

A lacklustre and flatfooted first half from Carrick saw the home side storm into a well deserved 3-0 lead; Carrick’s misery alleviated only by a Christine Waide short-corner conversion on the stroke of half-time.

A slightly improved second half from the visitors at least slowed the Banbridge onslaught with both goalkeepers pulling off spectacular saves at either end of the pitch.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Carrick’s Karen Nelson, in particular, produced one amazing diving save to her right, somehow managing to deflect a goal-bound shot with the end of her stick. But with Carrick still at a loss as to how to recover their early season sharpness, it was left to Banbridge to tie up the game at 4-1 with a well-taken breakaway goal. Carrick’s Player of the Match was team captain Lois Passmore.

Carrick Ladies II left nothing to chance in their home tie against winless Larne 2nd XI. Recognising the threat from any visiting Larne side in an always competitive East Antrim derby, Carrick remained cautious throughout the opening half which ended scoreless.

An energetic half-time team talk from both Carrick’s coach and captain appeared to pay dividends as the home side eased into an early lead courtesy of a snappy finish from their excellent young centre-forward, Dara Curry.

And 10 minutes later Carrick’s advantage was doubled when the impressive Natalie Hall netted her first goal of the season for her team. A late Larne goal failed to unsettle the home side who ran out 2-1 winners on the day, keeping themselves well in contention in this season’s Junior Three. Carrick’s Player of the Match was defender Robyn Poots.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Carrick Ladies 3rd XI faced probably the most difficult task of the day with a visit to undefeated league leaders, Ards. With a number of the developing young team’s key players unavailable, it was no real surprise that Ards eventually ran out 4-0 winners.

Carrick, however, showed tremendous spirit throughout the game, refusing to be overawed by their high-flying opponents.

With a home game against their arch rivals from last season, Newcastle, coming up this weekend, Carrick’s young third squad remain determined to make their mark on their new league section and to record their first three-pointer of the season.

Carrick’s Player of the Match was their ever-consistent Linley Booth, marking her second such accolade this season.

Related topics:BanbridgeLarne