Parke hat-trick puts Ballymoney top of the table

On Saturday, Ballymoney 1st XI were at home against Victorians Ladies in the Ulster Premier League. The game started off well for Ballymoney with Nikki Parke putting the home side in front with a reverse stick shot from a well worked opportunity in the 7th minute.

After some good attacking play down the right, Ballymoney were 2-0 up with Julie Nelson laying the ball off to Nikki Parke inside the circle who netted in the top corner with a lofted shot from the edge of the circle.

Victorians started to apply some pressure to the Ballymoney defence in the middle of the first half and were denied by goalkeeper Sammy-Jo Greer with a fine diving save.

Ballymoney then won a series of short corners which Victorians defended well, until Nikki Parke completed her hat-trick and put Ballymoney 3-0 up, with a deflected shot after a good first strike from Susie Sneddon.

The second half continued much as the first half with Ballymoney controlling possession although Victorians continually posed a threat through counter attacks.

Bridget Cleland had a strong shot saved by the Victorians goalkeeper early in the second half. The game was wrapped up 7 minutes into the second half with Ballymoney scoring a fourth goal. Ballymoney worked the ball well out of defence with the ball being transferred from the right to the left. Some creative and free-flowing play up the left for Ballymoney created a good opportunity for Catherine Minihan who slotted in at the back post.

The Ballymoney defence and goalkeeper continued to stifle the Victorians attacks with Sammy-Jo Greer making a number of important saves.

The game finished 4-0 to Ballymoney and the team and coaching staff were pleased to get the win which sees them sitting top of the league after four games.