Lauren Bell shines as Larne Ladies II defeat NICS

NICS were just behind Larne on goal difference going into this one, having had the same set of results so far this season.

Larne started the game well passing the ball around confidently from back to front, creating a lot of chances in the process. They were, however, guilty of missing several good chances to open the scoring, before Zoe Purdy did just that, slotting the ball home on her reverse after some good build-up play.

Larne continued to dominate the game and were soon rewarded with a second goal. Anne Snoddy rifled the ball high into the top corner of the net after NICS failed to clear.

The second half began as the first half had ended with Larne putting the NICS defence under constant pressure. It paid off when Larne earned a short corner. Stacey McGookin slipped the ball to her right where Leigh Snoddy was on hand to flick it home.

Larne didn’t let up and it was soon 4-0 following some superb wing play by Lauren Bell. After taking the ball off the NICS midfielder, she burst past two defenders and played the ball across the top of the circle finding captain Tracey Martin who swept the ball into the bottom corner of the goal.

Larne then conceded two late goals, taking the shine off an otherwise superb performance. The result puts Larne joint-second at the half way stage of the season. And with six home games to come, they will be hopeful that they can push on and challenge for automatic promotion.

Player of the Match: Lauren Bell.

Larne II: C. Morrow, J. Wilson, P. Crawford, C. Blair, T. Martin (c), L. Colborn, A. Snoddy, C. Greenwood, R. Henry, L. Bell, Z. Purdy, L. Snoddy, S. McGookin, N. Kempton.

The 3rd XI were due to play away to Knock 3rd XI on Friday night but Knock conceded the match as they were unable to field a team.

Fixtures (November 30): 1st XI v Banbridge (2:30 pm); Owls v Larne II (Intermediate Cup); Larne III v Ards IV (4 pm).