HOCKEY REVIEW: Snoddy and Henry find net as Larne prove point against Rainey

Leigh Snoddy, seen here in action against Omagh, scored in the 2-2 draw against Rainey. INLT 43-020-PSB

Rainey broke the deadlock only for Leigh Snoddy to net the leveller for the local side. Diane Henry edged Larne ahead but the Magherafelt girls restored parity.

Larne started off well, keeping Rainey pinned into their own half. Good passing play allowed the hosts to penetrate the Rainey circle, but a clear-cut chance couldn’t be created.

Rainey slowly started getting into the game, with their central midfield players dictating much of the play.

Larne had a chance to take the lead when Gillian Russell intercepted a Rainey clearance, but the ‘keeper saved well from Angela McFall’s strike.

And it was Rainey who took the lead just before half time from a well-worked penalty corner.

Larne were not deterred and came out fighting in the second half. Beth McFerran worked tirelessly in centre midfield to close down any attacks.

Player of the Match Polina Crawford was a real threat down the right, breaking down Rainey’s play and driving forward in attack before Larne finally got the goal they deserved from a penalty corner.

Leigh Snoddy drove the ball into the bottom corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance. The hosts then took the lead with an outstanding goal from Diane Henry. An inch-perfect aerial ball from Snoddy found Henry in the circle and she took one touch on her reverse to control the ball and then fired the ball in off the underside of the crossbar from an almost impossible angle.

Rainey were shell-shocked but did not give up the attack and eventually won a penalty corner in the closing minutes. The ball was fired in from the right and bounced awkwardly in front of the goal before being bundled in.

Larne kept fighting for the win right until the final whistle but the score remained 2-2.

Larne Ladies: L. McClelland, R. Love, L. Snoddy, N. Kempton (c), L. Booth, P. Crawford, G. Rennix, B. McFerran, B. McVeigh, G. Russell, A. McFall, D. Henry.

Other results: Victorians II 2-2 Larne II (Tracey Martin, Kirsty Neill). The club’s thirds lost 5-0 away to Mossley III.