TOON SEAL THE WIN

After winning the league on Armagh turf at the end of last season the girls were determined to use this to their advantage.

Ballymoney started the first half well with six minutes played, Katie Mullan passed an aerial ball from the half way line through to the forward line.

Robyn Chambers controlled the ball well and swept the ball to Jessica Lynch at the top of the circle who struck the ball well and placed it in the bottom left hand corner of the goal. Ten minutes later Ballymoney won themselves a penalty corner which Katie Mullan capitalised on, hammering the ball straight into the back of the net from a straight strike from the top of the circle. Excellent running from the forward line Ballymoney were unlucky not to increase their lead before the half time whistle.

Ballymoney got off to a good start in the second half holding the play well with Katie Mullan again scoring the third goal of the match, picking the ball up at the 25 yard line using her skill to beat the Armagh defence and scoring a reverse stick shot from a very narrow angle to help secure Ballymoney’s lead.

Jessica Lynch was unlucky not to score again having received a ball in from the twenty-five only to have her deflection saved.

Armagh stepped it up a gear towards the end of the second half as Ballymoney conceded several penalty corners.

However a solid defence of Angie Huey, Susie Martin, Gayle Adams and Rachel McCahon prevented the Armagh side from scoring.

Nicky Parke put in some vital and well-timed tackles holding off the opposing attackers.

However both teams continued to play a hard-fought game with the final score at the end of the match remaining 3-0.

Coach: Mark Evans

Team: J Holmes, A Huey, S Martin, G Adams, R McCahon, N Parke, K Minihan, K Mullan, A Kearney, E Lynch, J Lynch, R Chambers, J Kennedy, A Hempsey.

The firsts got a bye this week in the Irish Senior Cup, the seconds are away to Knock on Saturday and the thirds host Lurgan at 4pm.