Prior secure much needed victory on the road

After an earlier defeat this season and having equal points on the table Prior were determined to come away with the three points.

The game started strong for the away side with solid passing around the back from Coral Lapsley, Kristel Brown and Rhonda Duddy working well together.

Bronagh Doherty linked well with the midfield to move the ball up the pitch and put pressure on the Carrick defence.

Ten minutes after the starting whistle Netty Wilson came on and did well in stirring up the home side working hard to get the ball up front, her persistence paid off when she scored the first goal of the game.

Gemma Warnock, Claire Whiteside and Heather manning fought hard in midfield to work the ball from defence into Prior’s attacking 25 – this pressure resulting in Prior being awarded a penalty corner which was stopped by Bronagh Doherty at the top of the circle whose shot was deflected by a Carrick defender into the net – leaving the score Priorians 2-0 Carrickfergus at half-time.

The team talk at the break was absent of coach Richard Fairman as he was umpiring the game and straight away Carrickfergus came out fighting – catching the away side off guard which resulting in a goal for the home side.

This woke Priorians up showing their determination to take the points home, the attacking line Emma Sproule, Demi Harper and Netty Wilson were a great support defensively helping the midfield and back line set up against Carrickfergus crash balls across the circle.

Karen Campbell did an excellent job of marking out their most dangerous player taking her out of the game for her team mates.

The second half saw a very defensive Priorians battle to keep the ball out of the net with great saves from their keeper Liz and hard work from the whole team and it paid off when the final whistle blew and the score remained Priorians 2-1 Carrickfergus.

Joint player of the match were Coral Lapsley and Elizabeth Sandbadger and Priorians next league game is on Saturday, February 22, at Greenisland.

Priorians: Elizabeth Sandbadger, Rhonda Duddy, Coral Lapsley, Kristel Brown, Bronagh Doherty, Heather Manning, Claire Whisteside, Gemma Warnock, Karen Campbell, Demi Harper, Emma Sproule, Netty Wilson

Meanwhile Foyle College hockey teams have had a busy time in the past ten days.

On Saturday, February 1, league matches against Antrim Grammar had to be postponed however the U13 and U14 teams played their fixture on Monday, February 10, at St Columb’s Park.

The U14 match took on extra significance as it was a double-header league and Junior Plate match. In a very even contest with both teams failing to convert chances the match remained 0-0 after extra time. Unfortunately Antrim claimed victory after a penalty shoot-out.

The U13 league match followed and after a slow start Foyle began to dominate the game.

Antrim were first to get on the score sheet, however this seemed to galvanise the Foyle girls into action.

Emerald Wright equalised for the Foyle girls very soon afterwards with an excellent solo run. Mia Smyth and Grace Hand who had pushed up into the midfield added two more to earn the home side a comfortable victory.

The 1st XI made the long trek to Kilkeel on Wednesday, February 5th to play in the second round of the Senior Plate.

Contrary to the forecast, weather conditions did not influence the game to any real extent, as Foyle booked their place in the quarter-final, where they will face Belfast girls Victoria College tomorrow (Wednesday).

The 2nd XI played were knocked out of the Plate competition when they lost 2-0 to Omagh Academy.