Larne remain in relegation trouble despite draw

Larne Ladies are still in relegation trouble after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Dungannon in their penultimate league game of the season.
Hockey update.Hockey update.
Hockey update.

Larne knew they would have to better Ballyclare’s result to stay in with a chance of avoiding the drop.

The home side started positively, moving the ball well between midfield and the forwards and managing to threaten the Dungannon goal in the opening exchanges.

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Larne were unlucky to not get on the end of a number of dangerous balls which just lacked a final touch as they whizzed past the post.

The best of the opportunities fell to Kerry McIlwaine who found herself on the end of a deflected through-ball, with her back to goal she swept the ball only for the visiting keeper to smother her shot immediately.

Dungannon looked to pick off Larne on the counter-attack but Larne held firm and moved the ball quickly.

When Zoe Purdy picked up the ball, she drove into the circle and smashed the ball into the far corner midway through the half.

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As the half came to an end, the game began to open up, with Dungannon making a number of changes. A neat run along the baseline saw Dungannon slot the ball home to bring the scores level.

The visitors were temporarily reduced to 10 players for dissent but once back to full strength, Dungannon began to push forward again. Larne were reduced to 10 when one of their players saw a yellow upgraded to red for for tossing her stick away after a foul.

A number of mammoth tackles from Rebecca Dalton in the heart of the defence kept the majority of Dungannon’s attacks at bay and it took a good save to prevent Leigh Snoddy’s flick giving Larne the lead.

No win this time out for Larne, with their nearest rivals Ballyclare losing to North Down there is still an outside chance of avoiding automatic relegation.

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Larne Ladies’ Mini Hockey resumes on Saturday (February 28) 1am in Larne Town Park for girls in primary school years 1 to 6. All equipment is provided. Cost: £2 per session. For cancellation in event of bad weather please check Larne Ladies’ Facebook.

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