Ladies follow up cup joy with league win

Just a matter of seconds into the game, Becky Reynolds, following a blistering run, was in a position to reverse stick a beautiful ball across the Larne goal mouth where Clare Gillespie was poised to casually deflect it into the back of the net 1-0 for the visitors.

The Ballymena forwards were having the time of their lives and Aimee Logan, in particular, was proving to be a constant thorn in the flesh of the Larne defence winning a number of ‘free’s in quick succession. A resulting penalty corner was easily placed in the back of the net by Captain Clare Gillespie from a well rehearsed set piece 2-0 and a comfortable cushion just before half time.

Following the restart Ballymena picked up where they had left off and Becky Reynolds’ immaculate pass to the captain, Clare Gillespie, afforded her the opportunity to slot the ball home for her hat trick.

Ballymena’s fourth and final goal came from a penalty corner when the initial strike, by Susanne Morrison, was deflected into the net by Becky Reynolds. Just reward for her tireless effort throughout.

Ballymena: E Leslie, G McBurney, S Morrison, V Hogg, Z Dickson, C McCracken, J Duncan, S Goodrich, A Hempsey, A Logan, R Reynolds, L Kennedy, C Gillespie.

MEN

Ballymena 7, Saintfield 1: The breakthrough Ballymena so desperately sought was came midway through the half, with a tried and trusted corner routine which saw Mark Allison deflecting the ball into the opposition net. Ballymena quickly added a second when Clive Fulton flicked the ball high, into the corner of the net, past a helpless Saintfield keeper.

With 5 minutes remaining in the first period Saintfield rallied and pulled one back from a short corner, on a rare sortie into the home sides ‘D’.

Ballymena dealt with an early flurry of Saintfield pressure at the start of the second half and Andrew McKelvey slotted a third home for the home team.

A further goal was added to the Ballymena tally when a slick passage of play by McDonald and Crooks delivered the ball to Lorimer’s stick to make it 4-1.

An error from the Saintfield defence afforded Lorimer a second bite at the cherry but when his attempt was saved it was picked up by O’Neil who made no mistake, adding his name to the score sheet.

Lorimer added his second following a short pass from Orr, who was now dominating the midfield.

The final Ballymena goal came from some skilful right wing play by McKelvey and a reverse stick finish from Holmes, high, past the despondent keeper.

Annadale V 4, Ballymena II 0: Ballymena Men’s 2nd XI start to the New Year was definitely not a happy occasion as they lost away from home to a very strong Annadale 5th XI after drawing 2-2 in the previous home fixture.

The match was practically over after twenty five minutes as Annadale scored 3 goals without reply, as Ballymena struggled to get to grips with the home sides attacking pace and movement.

A Nicholl stinger off the post in the second half was the closest Ballymena came to scoring and Annadale slotted their fourth and final goal as play came to a close.

Seconds: J Birrell(GK) P McDowell, D Bradley, D McDowell, E Archer, Hanna(C), D Wenban, B Wenban, W Barr, P Moody, K Murphy, B Martin, P Nicholl.