Semi final spot for the Toon
Thursday, 2 October 2008
The battle for possession between Ballymoney First XI and Ards in the Winemark Ulster Shield.
WEDNESDAY night saw Ballymoney First XI seal their spot in the semi-final of the Wine mark Ulster shield with a convincing win over Ards.
Money had a short corner awarded in the first minute but Megan Frazer's first time strike was well saved, Ards however were not as fortunate in the fifth minute when from another short corner Frazer drilled the ball into the back of the net. Money continued to heap on the pressure and Lynsey McVicker was unlucky not to convert in the eleventh minute with a high flick which was saved by the keeper but fell to the stick of Frazer who calmly slotted the ball home for her second.
Ards worked hard at the back but could not wear down a determined Ballymoney side and Susie Martin was next on the goal sheet when she to converted from a penalty corner strike. Two minutes later Money again added to the tally when Bridget McKeever scored her first goal of the season with a short corner strike. Ballymoney continued to pepper the Ards circle and there was some near misses but Susie Martin again made sure when she scored Ballymoney's fifth and final goal of the half in the twenty sixth minute again from a set piece.
The second half started in the same vein as the first had ended and Ballymoney were again heavy on the attack. Julie Allison was in fine form during the game and it was she who passed a well timed ball to Lynsey McVicker to slot into the net in the fourteenth minute. Ards had to wait till deep in the second half to gain their first short corner of the game, Sammy-Jo Greer in nets made a fine save from a high ball and then seconds later cleared the ball well of her line and Ards continued their run of play by winning two more short corners near the end of the half but these were well cleared by Ruth Sutherland and Catherine Macaulay.
Full time score 6-0 to Ballymoney.
Ballymoney First XI: S.J Greer, R. Sutherland A .Huey, S. Martin(Capt), L. Barr, C. Macaulay, J. Allison, B. Mckeever, L. Mcvicker, N. Parke, M. Frazer, S. Stewart-Moore, L. Mullan. Umpire Ivan McNeill, Team coach Harry McNeill, manager Liz Lamont, Physio Colin Greer Ballymoney were to play on Saturday in their final Winemark encounter but Cookstown conceded on Thursday morning. So with three game played 23 goals scored and oneconceded Ballymoney enter the semi-final draw with Pegasus, Ulster Elks and Randelstown.
Fixtures for Saturday, October 4
First XI at home - Pegasus 2.30 league
Second XI at home - Belfast Harlequins 4.00 league
Third XI away - Ballymena 4.00 league
The top four teams in Ulster meet on Saturday in the first league game of the season, Ballymoney are home to Pegasus which will be a tough opening encounter but with home advantage the Toon girls will be difficult to beat, they will however be without the services of Lynsey McVicker due to a prior commitment but the spirit is high among the girls and a hard fought game is on the cards.
