HOCKEY: Larne lose out to North Down

Down netted a quick goal at the start of the match and from then on the local team were chasing the game. Despite the visitors having several players off the pitch with green cards Larne failed to capitalise on this advantage.

In the second half the home team tried hard and had several penalty-corners, yet failed to convert and North Down forged into the circle to claim their decisive second goal which, effectively, sealed Larne’s fate.

Larne: R Lyons, M Finlay, L Snoddy, L Craig, K McIlwaine, R Dalton capt. G Rennix, G Russell, D Henry, I Carmichael, Z Purdy, A Ogilby, T Neill. Coach: A King.

The Second XI travelled to Carrick and, despite some excellent play, suffered a 2-1 defeat.

The first 15 minutes was all Larne but the finishing touches weren’t there.

Carrick scored two quick goals in the second half, and Larne managed to claw one back.

However, despite great determination in the last 10 minutes, Carrick held on to their lead at the final whistle.

The team is grateful for the assistance of coach William Blair who is providing great encouragement.

Larne II: C Morrow, K Neill, J Swann, C Blair, K Stewart, C McCormick, K McCully, F Hamill, T Martin capt, A Snoddy, P Crawford, R Henry, A Beggs, R Beggs Coach W Blair.

On Sunday the Under-15s battled well in a tough game against UUJ Elks at The Glade.

Due to unavailability of players, Larne only had a squad of 11 but the girls fought hard for the full 50 minutes on the pitch.

They were unfortunate to concede an early goal but continued to hold Elks off looking very dangerous on the break and were unlucky not to equalise.

In the second half Elks were able to bring on fresh legs and that really was the key issue.The Larne girls started to tire and ended up pinned in their own half and conceded two more goals in the final 10 minutes of the game. This Larne squad is very young and gaining invaluable match experience learning from their defeats as well as their victories and will look forward to their next game on November 4.

Under-15s: L McClelland, A Clarke, M Roberts, C McCreesh, C Lynas, B McVeigh, B McFerran, K Aston, J Stewart, S Carson, H Smyth Coach A King

Fixtures: 1st XI v Cookstown away 1pm; 2nd XI v Dromore 3rds home 2:30pm; 3rd XI V Saintfield away.