PSNI get the better of Parkview Ladies

Two unanswered first-half strikes at Foundry Lane by the policewomen proved decisive, but the hosts took some positives from the match with a battling second-performance.

The visitors got off to a flyer by opening the scoring in the first minute, and only strong tackling by Penny Purdy and Wilma McCullough prevented them from increasing the lead until the 20th minute, when they netted their second from a penalty corner.

Approaching the interval Parkview began to push forward, forcing three penalty corners, but shots by Jenny Wallace, Clare McClean and Emma Stubbs failed to beat the goalie.

The decision to switch Jenny Rankin from defence to attack after the interval added some fizz to the home strike force.

Stubbs made a few incisive runs through the middle, while Brooke McCullough and Lauren Brady posed a threat down the left flank, but failed to get the better of a well drilled defence.

The nearest they came to scoring was when Jenny Morrison sent the ball across the face of the goal, but nobody was able to apply the finishing touch with the keeper left exposed.

“After being relegated last season and having lost a couple of players, I am quite pleased that we have stabilised, and we are now competing better week by week, but we are still not clinical enough in the circle,” stated coach Becky Linford.

n In the Premier League, Ulster Elks’ scheduled clash with Belfast Harlequins was put on the back burner because of the weather conditions.

Ballyclare Ladies’ Senior 1 match with Victorians was also postponed, so it’s an unwelcome east Antrim double at the foot of the table, with Larne and Ballyclare filling the bottom two positions.

Mossley Ladies’ Senior 4 showdown with Owls fell foul of the weather and will have to be staged at a later date.