Ladies make a point

Ballymena were dominant for most of the first half, with all players pushing forward forcing Greenisland into their half of the pitch.

With good support on the sidelines, Ballymena gave those watching something to cheer about when Sarah Gage scored after play following a penalty corner, to put the home side 1–0 up.

Unfortunately Ballymena did not keep up their possession and Greenisland scored before half time and the match remained at 1-1 during the second half.

Ballymena will meet Greenisland again in the league and will certainly hope to be more attacking and also have their set pieces more polished. Fitness is also on the agenda since Ballymena almost allowed the visitors to take the points 10 minutes from the end when Ballymena faced increased pressure through their own tiredness.

As with most Section 1 clubs, the Ulster Shield is really an extension of their pre-season but the heavy defeats experienced by Randalstown, Pegasus and Queens, will have to be put to the back of their minds if the firsts are to come out fighting in the league which starts next week with a home match against Priorians.

Ballymena: Emma Leslie, Becky Linford, Suzanne Bell, Catherine McCracken, Clare Gillespie, Megan Smyth, Sally Roddy, Susie Woolf, Jess Kernohan, Beth Dinsmore, Sarah Gage, Jenny Dixon, Aimee Logan, Susie Houston, Rebecca Reynolds

SECONDS

Ballymena II 2, Priorians II 2: Ballymena Seconds managed to make a come back from 2-0 down to end their match against Priorians in a 2-2 draw at the showgrounds on Saturday.

For the spectator, it was end to end play and it was Priorians who scored just before half time.

After the break, Ballymena did their best to pull things level but must have thought it wasn't going to be their day when Priorians scored again having taken the defence apart but the home side kept cool heads and soon got their just rewards when a penalty corner was stylishly converted by Jess Kernohan who lifted the ball over the keeper to give Ballymena hope.

Ballymena levelled the match in a solo goal by Susie Houston who ran straight into the circle and confidently struck the ball home.

Seconds: Joanne Logan, Grace McBurney, Megan Smyth, Katie Houston, Jenny Sutherland, Ashleigh Harbinson, Susie Houston, Clare Gillespie, Lauren Kennedy, Jess Kernohan, Lorna Murphy, Kathryn Kealey, Susie Woolf.

THIRDS

Ballymena III 2, Cookstown II 0: It was a different line up from last week, as the ladies thirds got back to winning ways when they deservedly beat Cookstown seconds 2-0 on the gravel at Ballymena Academy.

It was a strategic change of formation at half time which resulted in the two goals to clinch the match as some players were moved around which allowed more movement among the Ballymena team.

The first goal was set up by Judith Doyle who whacked the ball into the Cookstown circle where Alison Caldwell hit it in. Clare Headden had to come off with a hamstring injury and her replacement, young Ashley Harbison, had an excellent game throughout and also assisted in the second goal, again scored by Caldwell.

This was a well earned win for the thirds who hope to now find a settled team so that they can enjoy many more such successes in the league ahead, starting with Coleraine 2nd X1 at home on Saturday.

Thirds: Rebecca McCandless, Sandra Dallas, Helen Russell, Samantha Russell, Judith Doyle, Mandy McCombe, Laura McKelvey, Ashley Harbison, Christine Taylor, Alison Caldwell, Julie Robinson, Clare Headden, Lisa Thompson.

MEN

Armagh 6, Ballymena 0: Ballymena knew that a trip to Armagh to play an experienced section one team in the Linden Cup would only end in defeat, but were pleased with their performance despite going down 6–0.

Ballymena only went with 11 players and were missing regulars Mark Allison, Matthew Corbett and Andy Lorimer but seconds players Mark Lightbody and Matthew O'Neill relished the opportunity to play in a much faster match than they were used to.

Armagh were obviously always going to be the more dominant team, scoring 4 times in the first half from corners and open play and then added two more goals to their tally after the break.

Ballymena can take comfort from the fact that other section one teams fell to heavier defeats by Armagh in the Linden Cup and must now focus on section two of the league which starts next week away to Portrush.

Ballymena: Alister Gibson, Davey McDonald, Sammy Wilson, Chris Hogg, Andrew Shields, Tori Alexander, Victor Orr, Mark Monteith, Andrew McKelvey, Mark Lightbody, Matthew O'Neill

Ballymena II 3, Mossley VI 1: Ballymena 2nd XI played host to Mossley 6th XI on Saturday at the Showgrounds and came away with an emphatic 3–1 win.

Ballymena's first goal came late in the first half, when it looked like it was going to end scoreless. Nicholl like a magician received the ball at the top of the circle, and with three Mossley defenders close by, still managed to turn and strike the ball into the bottom corner.

The second goal came again from Nicholl receiving the ball inside the D from a brilliant pass by William Barr. The Mossley keeper came storming out, allowing Nicholl to easily move the ball around him and touch it in.

However, the visitors went on to score their only goal with great movement down the pitch. The ball just went by the debutant Ballymena keeper Andrew Allen and no more, to take the game to 2-1.

With the game's fate undecided, Wilf Montgomery started the ball off in midfield with an accurate pass to Andrew Crooks, who in turn not only beat the defender but also delivered a devastating pass beyond the keeper allowing Nicholl to put the ball low to the keeper's left for a marvellous hat trick.

Seconds: Andrew Allen, Andrew Crooks, Alister Hanna, Ethan Archer, Alistair Donald, Aaron Murphy, Wilf Montgomery, William Barr, Chris Shaw, Phil Moody, Phil Nicholl, Ken Murphy, Eddie Hampton.