Sarah shines as Dromore smash three past Bann

Sarah Wilson (left) was the Dame of the Game for a defensive masterclass against Banbridge on Saturday.

Dromore started straight from the whistle putting pressure on Banbridge’s defence, with Jill Brown feeding the ball up the right to Nikki Wilson.

Dromore were rewarded with a penalty corner but the Banbridge keeper saved it. After 20 minutes of constant pressure on the Banbridge defence, the midfield found Hannah Russell’s stick. She drove the ball straight into the circle where she took the shot and scored the first goal of the game.

At half-time, coach and new dad Jonny McBride was called into action. His wife Leanne had a baby daughter, Sophia Rose, days before the game. She’s no doubt a future Dromore player but dad had to get his focus on the game at half time to give the team a motivational chat.

So Dromore came out ready for action and determined to score. Their midfield of Amy Forsythe, Nicole Laverty and Rachel Morrow pushed up into Banbridge’s half, winning several penalty corners.

With more pressure and more corners, Dromore were finally rewarded when Chelsey Whan started and finished a scoring move. She pushed out to the top of the circle where Tara Malcomson completed a neat interchangeith Bethany Ravey and fired the ball straight to the left post where Chelsey converted into the back of the net.

Eager for more goals, Dromore did not sit back but kept the Banbridge defence under constant attack. Nicole took a long corner with the ball going to Sarah Wilson at the edge of the circle, she found Anna Martin who took the shot which found Hannah’s stick and deflected into the goal.

Dromore took their eye off the ball letting Banbridge’s forward through to find a free player in Dromore’s circle. Keeper Alice Winson, who hadn’t had any play, was ready for action dived towards the ball leaving the goal wide open. The Banbridge player pushed the ball towards the net, but the quick thinking of Sarah Wilson threw her stick out to block the shot on the line.

A big cheer erupted from the home spectators as the final whistle blew to send Dromore through to face either Rainey Firsts or Ulster Elks Threes in the next round.

Dame of the game went to Sarah Wilson for her outstanding defensive skills.