Ladies on fire against Dromore

Ballymena got off to a flying start gaining possession from the whistle and scoring early on to show Dromore they meant business.

It was Suzanne Bell who scored the first with a strong strike from a penalty corner, the keeper unable to stretch enough to cover her right post.

A straight ball to Rebecca Reynolds set her up for a one on one with the keeper, but the level headedness of the Cambridge House schoolgirl saw Aimee Logan free to her left and a quick pass meant Logan just had to sweep for an empty net.

At 2-0 up, Ballymena looked in the driving seat but Dromore didn't lose focus and gained a goal when a pass to a player lying behind the defence caught Ballymena off guard and a push between the keeper's legs made it 2-1.

Dromore didn't lose hope despite Ballymena always looking the more likely to score but keeper Leslie stayed alert and was ready to come out to the edge of the circle to clear when needed.

Ballymena continued to give their supporters plenty to cheer about in the second half.

Having troubled the Dromore defence for the entire match, Reynolds was finally rewarded when she received the ball having positioned herself right in front of the keeper. Once she turned, the keeper could only block for so long until Reynolds found a way past.

The fourth and final goal was an admired shot from Logan. Set up again by Gage, who suffered throughout with a sore back, Logan aimed and fired clinically to the left of a stunned keeper, finishing the match 4-1 to a well deserved Ballymena.

Ballymena: Emma Leslie, Sally Roddy, Beth Dinsmore, Suzanne Bell, Sara Allen, Susie Houston, Jackie McWilliams, Aimee Logan, Jess Kernohan. Sarah Lloyd, Becky Kernohan, Catherine McCracken, Rebecca Reynolds, Jenny Dixon.

SECONDS

Ballymena II 1, Randalstown III 0: Ballymena seconds saw off Randalstown thirds, 1-0, in a great local derby to progress to the next round of the ONE 1918 McConnell Shield.

Ballymena started the stronger of the two teams with some well kept possession and gave out a strong message to their local rivals when they took the lead in the first half, Kirsten Young scoring a wonderful solo goal.

Following a determined drive up the right wing, Young continued on into the circle and finished sweetly with an unstoppable shot past the Town keeper.

Ballymena knew the visitors would not take the game lying down but Katie Houston, Jenny Sutherland and Catherine McCracken soaked up the pressure around the 25 with well timed tackles and solid marking when it mattered most.

It was an even contest with both teams having chances but sweeper, Grace McBurney, and keeper, Joanne Logan, were very focused in the circle and together kept a clean sheet from any Town attacks seeing the home side keep their lead for the rest of the half.

It wasn't unexpected when Randalstown came out fighting in the second half with a real strong determination. They had numerous penalty corners but good running out from Susie Woolf and Susie Houston, and good saves by keeper Logan meant there was no way through for the visitors. Not surprisingly Logan was awarded player of the match by her team mates, her vital contribution to the game appreciated by all.

Ballymena seconds are growing in confidence every week now and although their main aim is to stay in the top half of the league, a good run in the shield won't go amiss either.

Seconds: Joanne Logan, Grace McBurney, Katie Houston, Catherine McCracken, Jenny Sutherland, Susie Houston, Jessica Duncan, Rebecca McCluggage, Kirsten Young, Lauren Kennedy, Susie Woolf, Lorna Murphy, Laura McKelvey, Amy Logan.

THIRDS

Ballymena III 1, Ballymoney III 3: Ballymena thirds were disappointed to lose 3-1 to Ballymoney thirds in the ONE 1918 Junior Cup competition but too many regulars were missing from the squad despite a good effort from everyone.

With 4 key players absent from the team list, it was a big ask to take on a team away from home but it was the visitors who went 1- 0 up when a passed ball across the circle was touched by Alison Caldwell towards goal, the final touch coming from Katherine Kealey to give Ballymena a surprised lead.

Ballymena did play well together and new player Laura Mackey settled well into the team in defence. Ballymoney, however, were a younger and quicker squad and once Ballymena had scored, they found themselves playing more defensively even though the forwards tried to stay up and not be trapped into lying too far back in their own half.

'Money responded to Ballymena's goal with three of their own, ending Ballymena's Cup run at the first hurdle, with a 3-1 defeat.

Ironically they face the same team again this Saturday in the league. But with home advantage and a full squad back again, Ballymena have a point to prove and will want to use the disappointment of losing to ensure they are in the winning mindset on Saturday.

Thirds: Rebecca McCandless, Laura Mackey, Carolyn Heron, Samantha Russell, Helen Russell, Sandra Dallas, Christine Taylor, Lisa Thompson, Mandy McComb, Laura McKelvey, Alison Caldwell, Amy Logan.

MEN

Ballymena 0, Campbellians 3: Having scored 13 goals in their last three matches, the men's firsts knew that top of the table, Campbellians, would be a difficult match but the Belfast visitors were made to work for their 3-0 win over a determined Ballymena at the showgrounds.

It was unfortunate that Campbellians scored within the first five minutes from a rebounded shot off the keeper following a corner, because for the majority of the match Ballymena managed to keep Campbellians at bay.

With two yellow cards apiece, Orr and Corbett receiving time off the pitch for Ballymena, it was a tough match but played with an attacking spirit although the four cards might suggest otherwise.

Towards the end, the match swayed towards the favour of Campbellians. In the last quarter, the visitors scored twice. Their second goal was grabbed when the Campbellians forward hesitated after Gibson went down, allowing the forward to place his shot past a helpless keeper.

Then a lifted ball, saved by the gloves of Gibson, fell out of vision of the Ballymena keeper for the other team to take the opportunity to score a third.

Ballymena: Alister Gibson, Davey McDonald, Victor Orr, Alex McKeown, Matthew Corbett, Andrew Bell, Mark Monteith, Mark Lightbody, Andrew Lorimer, Mark McKelvey, William Barr, Neil Crawford, Matthew O'Neill

SECONDS

Ballymena II 1, North Down V 3: The men's seconds lost 3-1 to North Down 5ths at home on Friday, amongst the wind, rain and fireworks from the nearby Ecos Centre!

Ballymena hoped to extend their lead at the top of the table against their mid position opponents, but North had different ideas.

It was a tough slog for the home team team who eventually capitulated midway through the half from a short corner that Andrew Crooks just couldn't deflect wide of the goal, giving North Down their first goal.

Just before half time the visitors scored again from another short which was initially blocked by Alister Hanna, but the second shot cruelly found the back of the net after several deflections of defender's sticks.

Ballymena made several tactical changes at the half time break and they found the net to get them back into the game as Wilf Montgomery finished off a pacey attack to make it 2-1.

In the last ten minutes, as Ballymena began to tire, North again picked up the pace and with so many players up field trying to level the game, a fast break away saw North score again leaving keeper Allen unable to prevent a third.

Seconds: Andrew Allen, Alister Hanna(Capt.), Andrew Crooks, William Barr, Neil Crawford, Steven Healy, Ken Murphy, Aaron Murphy, Phil Moody, Chris Shaw, Wilf Montgomery, Phil Nicholl, Matthew O'Neill.

SALSA EVENING

Ballymena Hockey Club present a salsa evening on Saturday 13th November at Eaton Park from 7.30pm onwards.

The evening will consist of a Tapas meal, a salsa demonstration and an opportunity to try some Salsa dancing too. The packed evening will finish off with a disco.

At just 20 per person, a full night's entertainment and fun is guaranteed. The winners of JLS tickets, for their concert in January at the Odyssey, will also be announced.

the evening is open to all, not just club members. For catering purposes please phone Sandra Dallas on 07917391906 to book your place.