Six of the best for Coleraine Firsts as Twos win in Cup

Coleraine started strongly and scored from a penalty corner converted by Sue Nutt inside the first five minutes. The midfield of Susan Chapman, Helen Tweedle, Sue Nutt and Julie Allison were providing good movement, and Coleraine were unlucky not to have scored more goals in the first half after great work by Grace Bradley.

The visitors were pegged back just before the break as Dromore grabbed an equaliser.

Coleraine knew they needed to take their chances after the restart, and so it proved as they scored another five goals.

Helen Tweedie found the net twice from a penalty corner and a run through several players. Julie Allison also provided many opportunities down the right wing and was rewarded with a goal as well as assisting Susan Chapman in her goal. Caroline McNickle found the net also from a cross by Laura Todd bringing the final score to 6-2. Thanks to Ivan McNeill for umpiring.

Meanwhile, The Coleraine 2s continued their fine start to the season as they beat North Down 4s in the first round of the Junior Cup.

The first half was a tight affair with both teams creating chances without taking any of them.

The second half started in similar vein and Coleraine quickly into the visitor’s circle saw captain Sasha Richardson slide the ball past the keeper and into the boards for her first goal for the club, 1-0 to Coleraine.

The local ladies though were pegged back soon after.

The girls didn’t let their heads drop and a number of great attacks down both flanks built the pressure and was finally rewarded with a goal from Bekah Kennedy to regain the advantage heading in to the final quarter.

And that’s how is remained as Coleraine secured a deserved victory.

Coleraine Ladies Thirds played out a hard fought 0-0 draw against Instonians Seconds on Saturday.

From the whistle Coleraine dominated the Instonians half. Excellent attacking play by the Coleraine forwards and numerous quick free breaks by Emma Wallace yet the conversion of their relentless efforts where denied by tight defensive play from Instonians.

Even the rewards of a penalty corner denied the experience Pearl McCartney a place on the score sheet. At half time the score sheet remained scoreless.

The start of the second half saw more open play by Instonians. Several attempts by them were thwarted by Ruth Adams.

Some excellent connective play by Claire Hodges and more narrow misses followed. The pace of the game and passing play mounted in the later stages of the second half with Instonians pressuring the Coleraine defence. Despite the defensive three (Pearl Fee and Ellies) and frequent fresh leg changes through substitsitions midfield and upfront.

The mounting attacks from Instonians paid dividends as they where awarded a penalty corner in the dying seconds of the game.

Thankfully the direct strike rebound from goalie Sonia was swiftly dealt with by Ellie in a clean and efficient manner leaving the scoreline 0-0. Though a disappointing result the thirds continue their unbeaten run in this season’s games.