Cork Harlequins 2 Ladies 1sts 2

05 December 2009 | Garryduff | 16.00
Goals: Shona Doyle, o.g

Pembroke Wanderers claimed a resolute two points in bizarre circumstances at Garryduff today, twice coming from behind to record a 2-2 draw with Cork Harlequins at Garryduff. Quins dominated for long periods and had enough chances to put the game beyond their Dublin visitors, but a never-say-die attitude and swift counter-attacking stood Pembroke in good stead.

Cliodhna Sargent gave Quins the lead from the penalty spot on 25 minutes, coming after her short corner strike had hit the post, and Karen Bateman’s goal-bound follow-up shot was inadvertently stopped on the line by Natalie Fulton’s leg.

But Pembroke were level six minutes later; a long ball came all the way through to Shona Doyle, whose shot seemed to be saved by Quins keeper Amy O’Neill, only for the ball to somehow squirm under her and roll agonisingly into the unguarded goal.

Quins re-took the lead on 41 minutes, when a flowing move involving Rachel McSharry and Yvonne O’Byrne saw Leslie-Ann Daunt pick out Emily O’Leary on the penalty spot with a super first-time cross from the right. O’Leary saw her effort come back off the post, put Bateman was on hand to fire on the rebound on her reverse.

But barely 60 seconds later, Pembroke were level again in the most unusual of circumstances. Sarah Clarke hit a hopeful crash ball from around 40m out, which seemed to be harmless until it took a deflection off a Quins player and into the goal. Despite the protests from the hosts, the strike stood under new IHL rules and was marked down as an own goal.

Both sides pressed for a winner as the game opened up spectacularly thereafter, but despite a couple of close calls at either end, the stalemate remained, allowing Pembroke to go home the happier of the sides.

Report courtesy of www.irishhockeyleague.ie