Team not found wanting

Lurgan Ladies U15A 3 Ballymoney 0

SUNDAY saw Lurgan Ladies U15A team meet Ballymoney U15A at Lisnagarvey.

Ballymoney had the pass back and immediately put Lurgan under pressure as they threaded balls through the midfield. The Lurgan defence had to work extremely hard to block off each move as the ‘Money girls sought to find an avenue to the circle.

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Lurgan were playing a 4 4 2 formation, and after 10 mins the shout came from the sideline to revert back to the trusted 3 3 3.

After the change Lurgan went on the offensive, but try as they might each attack was thwarted by a solid ‘Money defensive back line.

After a slide rule pass from midfield to Pippa Best, the centre forward found she was unmarked in the circle. She blasted the ball past the keeper only to see it rebound off the far post. The girls wondered if it was going to be one of those days.

The game was being won and lost in the midfield. Emma Quinn, Chelsea Holden and Jade McCorry began to find their stride. They kept the pressure on and fed balls though to Sam Bann and Best up front. The two forwards worked tirelessly, and their pressure paid off when Best found the net after 20 mins.

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In the second half, the fitness of the Lurgan girls was to prove the undoing of the Ballymoney squad. Emily Johns, Caitlin Cousins and Chloe Neville fought tooth and nail for every ball in defence.

They cut out everything that came their way, and sweeper Louise McKitterick picked up any loose balls in behind.

The midfield was faster on the break and sharper with their passes. The ‘Money keeper pulled off a terrific save from a full power shot by Sam Bann that surely stung her toes. The writing was on the wall and soon after, following lovely play down the right, Jade McCorry found Chelsea Holden, who slammed the ball through to Best who made no mistake for her second of the day.

Ballymoney still looked dangerous at times and everyone had to work at full pace to keep them out of the Lurgan circle.

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Ten minutes from the end after another fine attack by Lurgan they won themselves a short corner. McCorry slid the ball out to Best, who slipped it to Emma Quinn who pinholed the ball neatly between the left post and the out stretched leg of the keeper.

It 3-0 remained and the girls have the maximum points for their two games so far. But Sunday saw some serious questions asked of this very young team and they were not found wanting.

Special thanks to umpire Jade McIlwaine and the loyal band of travelling support.

Team: Naomi Costley (GK), Zo Jackson (GK), Louise McKitterick. Emily Johns, Chloe Neville, Caitlin Cousins, Chelsea Holden, Jade McCorry, Emma Quinn, Samantha Bann, Pippa Best (C), Stacie McCann and Tara McIlwaine.