Seconds come home with all the points

ON Saturday Dromore Ladies Second XI travelled to Ballymena Showgrounds for a match against Ballymena Second XI.

After the journey the girls were slow to start, being slightly on the back foot, having to do mostly defensive play with goalkeeper Emma Clelland making vital saves.

The defence of Jo Titterington, Cathy Wilson, Allyson McMullan and Clare Elliot where on top form to stop the Ballymena defence from scoring, however Dromore made one small mistake which allowed the Ballymena attackers to get in behind Dromore and slot the ball in the net.

This proved to be the wake-up call Dromore needed and the tables began to turn. The Dromore midfield of Ana Clarke, Nicole Laverty, Hannah Lilburn and Chelsey Whan  were linking up more fluently with the defence and getting balls into the circle. 

The forwards, Shannon Brush, Chloe Glover, Michaela Neill and Anna Martin were agonisingly close on a number of occasions almost-but not quite-putting the ball in the back of the net. 

This attacking play continued and eventually after an attacking run up the pitch by Chloe Glover and pass into the circle Anna Martin put the ball into the net to level the score.

Throughout the rest of the first half the Dromore girls continued to dominate overall and pressurised the Ballymena defence, winning numerous penalty corners with Cathy Wilson being denied a goal only by the corner post and Anna Martin having a goal disallowed.

At half time the score was 1-1. 

After a good talk at half time the Dromore team came out with a clear idea of what needed fixed within their game. 

From the whistle Dromore were dominant in attack with the defence dealing ably with any attacking play from the Ballymena front line.

Dromore continued to win short corners being very unfortunate not to convert any into goals.  Then a brilliant ball into the circle from Chelsey Whan set up Chloe Glover who pushed the ball home to make the score 2-1.   

Dromore didn’t look back and continued to make life hard for the Ballymena defence, with the Ballymena goalie having to make some good saves to deny the Dromore attack. 

However Ballymena couldn’t hold on forever with Chelsey Whan, Ana Clarke, Nicole Laverty and Cathy Wilson putting endless dangerous balls into the Ballymena circle. 

Anna Martin converted from a pass by Michaela Neill making the score 3-1. 

Then match was coming to an end and Shannon Brush scored an excellent final goal, into the back netting, putting Ballymena to bed.  The final score was 4-1 to Dromore Ladies.

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