Ballymoney 2 Ladies 1sts 2

17 October 2009 | Ballymoney | 13.00
Goals: Aoife Sherriff, Shona Doyle

Ballymoney opened their grounds to face Pembroke Wanderers in round one of their ESB Irish Hockey League game earlier today. The first quarter ensued with little or no incidents as both sides looked to find their footing and settle down, but it was Ballymoney who were the first to take control of the game something that they held onto for the lion’s share of the match. Their efforts were rewarded in the 26th minute when a weaving run down the left led to a great feed in of the ball across the face of the circle for Diane McNeill to deflect into the net for a one nil lead.

Ballymoney’s momentum began to build and they received their just rewards just a minute before half time when player coach Lyndsey McVicker flashed her magic and took a run from the half way line at great pace only to be met by the advancing Keeper resulting in a collision at the penalty spot, but excellent advantage from the Umpire enabled Laura Mullan to pick up the stray ball for an easy tap in and two nil lead at half time for Ballymoney.

After half time Ballymoney continued to make the majority of attacks but Jane Coyne in goals for the Dublin side was on fire and thwarted any of the Ulster sides’ goal scoring efforts. Pembroke used this opportunity to claw their way back into the game and were rewarded in the 59th minute when the Money keeper was penalised for stepping into a player who was backing her way into the circle resulting in Pembroke’s third penalty corner of the day. Third time was lucky for the Dublin side today as Aoife Sherriff slotted the ball home on the right post to bring her side within touching distance of a draw.

From the restart Pembroke took control and with determination secured themselves another penalty corner which was hammered home by a great strike from Shona Doyle. In the dying minutes of the game Ballymoney searched hard for the winner but the final whistle blew resulting in two points a piece for both sides.

Match report courtesy of www.irishhockeyleague.ie