Hockey ladies win first friendly of the season

With many players still on holiday, this was a team made up of those who simply were available and therefore weren’t use to playing with each other.

This was evident when Ballymena got off to a shaky start allowing Larne to take the lead.

However, once Ballymena got into their stride the tables began to turn and Cambridge House schoolgirl, Amy Logan, made everyone stand up and pay heed when her shot ripped into the top of the net at the tightest of angles.

This allowed Ballymena to relax and start to enjoy their game. Although it was ‘only a friendly’ Becky Linford, Ladies Club Captain, was pleased when Academy pupil Kirsten Young scored later on to give Ballymena a win on the scoresheet.

“It is always good to come away having won and I was particularly pleased for Amy and Kirsten to have scored.

We have lost a couple of our more experienced players and may lose one or two more to University before the season starts.

“It is always difficult too when players are not use to each other but we have a few weeks left before teams can be finalized and many players still have to return out of the woodwork yet!”

The club would encourage players old and new to get fit and eager for the season ahead by attending training on a Tuesday night at the Showgrounds.

Fixtures for the province will be released this week although Ballymena Firsts will kick off their season on Saturday 11th September in the Ulster Shield with a tough match against Randalstown away.

Ballymena: Margaret Dunlop, Sara Allen, Catherine McCracken, Katherine Allen, Megan Smyth, Sharon Reid, Sarah Gage, Beth Dinsmore, Amy Logan, Lauren Kennedy, Kirsten Young, Becky Linford.