Six of the best from the Academy girls

After a successful season last year, reaching the Cup Final, the girls were determined to kick this year’s competition off with a victory.

Despite the torrential rain and the cold, the girls were ready for action.

The match began with a slightly shaky start for the Academy with Dalriada holding possession for the first five minutes, reaching the Academy’s circle.

It was when Dalriada put the ball in the back of the net with a disallowed goal that their Banbridge opponents realised they needed to step their play up a gear.

A strong pass out of defence from Gina Woods found left defender Ellen Reid who made an excellent pass up the line to Katie McKee, who drove towards the circle scoring the first goal with a reverse strike.

With the Banbridge players continuing to dominate the left hand side, Katie hit the back of the net with another reverse goal bringing it to 2-0 to Banbridge at half time.

In the second half, the Banbridge team relentlessly kept Dalriada’s defence under pressure.

A rebound shot from Katie McKee was stopped just before the line by a Dalriada foot, awarding Banbridge with a penalty stroke, with Charley Brush stepping up to score the 3rd goal.

Shortly after, a penalty corner was awarded to the Academy girls, put out to Sarah Russell at the top of the circle, to be passed in for McKee to score once again.

With 10 minutes to go, yet another reverse shot from McKee put the Banbridge squad a comfortable 5-0 up.

To finish off the match, great attacking play coming from Banbridge Academy’s midfielders Emma Gregson and Orla Thompson resulted in one last goal slotted in by Sophie Mount.

Very well done to all who played in the match, bringing Banbridge Academy a 6-0 victory in the 1st Round in the cup.