Tough outing for understrength Bann ladies

The girls settled quickly into their game and within the first 10 minutes of the start had numerous attempts on goal the most promising coming from Rosie Waddell, who’s shot on goal was well saved by the Civil Service goalie. Civil Service were equally dangerous on the break playing a long ball through to a high player and following up in numbers and it was from just such a play and poor marking from the Bann defence that allowed Civil Service to take the lead after 20 minutes. However with Dianne McMillen leading the defence of Ashlea Bell, Michelle Hillen, Debbie Whitten and Jill Mehaffey the girls settled into a routine and worked the ball back into the Civil Service 25. This lead to a series of short corners as half time approached and with 2 minutes on the clock Amy Atkinson found the back of the net with a super strike from a Sara McCracken push out.

The second half started at a furious pace with both sides searching for their second goal. Bann went on the attack with Stephanie Moffett combining with Jane Cousins down the left wing to take the ball into the Civil Service circle where the ball fell to Amy Atkinson. Her shot on goal was stopped by a Civil Service defender but Sara Gamble was on hand to pick up the rebound and coolly slot it into the net to give Bann a 2-1 lead. The girls now looked comfortable on the ball and were easily coping with the Civil Service game, they went on several runs into the Civil Service half with Claire Girvan testing their defence down the right wing and were unlucky not to increase their lead, only thwarted at the last by the on form Civil Service goalie. However whilst on the break Bann gave the ball away in the middle of the park and saw Civil Service take the ball up the pitch and straight into the Bann goal past keeper Emma McIntyre Barnes who was left with no chance. Bann went straight on the attack from the restart and took the ball straight up the pitch where they were awarded another short, a clever switch from Amy Atkinson to Sara Gamble and then back to Amy to slot the ball home for her second and Bann’s third. For the remaining 8 minutes of the match Bann withstood an onslaught from Civil Service as they searched for their equaliser but great team work and defending from all the players allowed them to hold on for a well deserved 3 points.

Next week Bann host PSNI at Havelock in another key league game!

Player of the Match Stephanie Moffett