Parkview give Coleraine a run for their money

Clare McClean’s girls have been climbing the table recently, and although rated the underdogs in this clash they started confidently and were on top during the opening exchanges without testing the keeper.

That continued to be the pattern with the well-drilled home defence making sure that the visitors rarely got in to the circle, despite some forceful play in midfield by Brooke McCullough and Emma Bothwell.

Coleraine began to dominate for a time forcing three penalty corners, but all were saved by Sharon Gaffney, who was back in goal after missing a few games.

Parkview’s one penalty corner was played out by Jenny Wallace, but shots by Brooke McCullough and McClean were blocked.

After the interval Coleraine played at a higher tempo and opened the scoring with a penalty flick after the ball had hit McClean’s foot on the line.

As before, the Doagh girls had plenty of possession but were unable to penetrate the defence and near the end the hosts made sure of the points with a second score from open play.

“Even without Nikki Singleton, Jenna Maxwell and Penny Purdy, we made life difficult for the leaders,” said team captain, McClean.

“Our coach Becky Linford was pleased with our improved consistency, while the Coleraine coach gave us a boost by saying that we had given them their hardest match of the season.”

Parkview Ladies’ panel: S Gaffney, W McCullough, J Rankin, E Stubbs, L Brady, J Wallace, C McClean (C), B McCullough, T Gamble, E Bothwell, K Morrison, J Morrison, T Smallwood, C Morrow.

Parkview have no game this weekend owing to having a bye in the Senior Plate, but on January 24 they have a home fixture against Cooke Ladies.