Purdy’s strike puts Seconds through in Cup

Following a long delay due to a serious injury to one of the Enniskillen players during the warm-up, the tie finally got under way. Not only did the home side lose one of their promising young players but they also had to play with 11 outfield as their goalkeeper had left her helmet at home.

But barely two minutes into the game an eye injury to Larne winger Dee Wallace forced an early change for the visitors.

Enniskillen pushed forward as Larne tried to shake off their long journey. An outstanding diving save from goalkeeper Caroline Morrow prevented the home side taking an early lead.

This seemed to waken Larne and, aiming to capitalise on the lack of goalkeeper, substitute Purdy had an immediate impact, converting the first penalty corner of the game.

As Enniskillen looked to respond they won a series of penalty corners, with Linley Booth in the heart of the Larne defence making a superb goal-line clearance to keep the score at 1-0.

A number of good saves from Morrow kept Enniskillen at bay, while the battle in midfield turned into a scrappy, stop-start affair.

The second half played out much like the first. There were a number of stoppages with no less than three being for head injuries.

Player of the Match Morrow was called upon several times to keep her team’s narrow lead intact. As Larne looked to relieve the pressure on their goal, they managed to win a few penalty corners of their own.

Despite having no goalkeeper, some brave defending prevented Larne from increasing their lead and a long-awaited final whistle brought an end to what was a very long afternoon.

Larne would like to wish a speedy recovery to Meghan Thompson of Enniskillen who suffered a serious knee during the warm-up. Larne now face fellow Junior 3 side North Down in the quarter-finals.

Larne Ladies III defeated Coleraine II 2-1 away, thanks to goals from Devone Kennedy and Tyler Dobbin. The win sees Larne move into second place in Junior 6.