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Ballyclare Ladies advance in cup

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Action from the Ballyclare vs Cooke match on Saturday played at the High School. GC0444

McConnell Shield 3rd round - Harlequins 0, Ballyclare 1XI 1: BALLYCLARE 1XI were away to Belfast on Saturday to play Harlequins Seconds at Grosvenor astro pitch yet a windy, wet and cold day didn't put the 'Clare girls off playing some great hockey.
With strong directions at the back from Ruth Sutherland and Emma Patterson's fantastic marking, the defence was impenetrable and no serious shots were taking at the Ballyclare goalkeeper.
Hard work from Tori Wallace and Caroline Darragh in midfield during the first half with superb tackling from Louise Bell, Rebekah Mills, Caroline McGookin and Suzanne Dickey.
Lorraine Ashcroft sustained an injury to the head when a ball bounced off a stick and hit her, however, not allowing that to set her back Lorraine came back on in the second half and played amazingly as left back.
Going into the second half of the match the girls upped the pressure to ensure the game wouldn't go into extra time. Ballyclare were awarded several short corners and were unlucky not to score until Tori Wallace scored the first goal against Harlequins.
Not wanting to let the pressure fall, the girls won another short corner which unfortunately was disallowed but showed their true potential by maintaining the pressure for the remainder of the match.
Wanting a draw, Harlequins fought back and had several good but unsuccessful attempts at scoring. A fantastic result for the Ballyclare 1XI and everyone would like to thank Laura Gilbert for her amazing umpiring in the freezing cold. The 1XI will play Dungannon next Saturday, home at Foundry Lane at 2.30pm.
Team: Sara Coulter, Ruth Sutherland, Emma Patterson, Caroline McGookin
Lorraine Ashcroft, Tori Wallace, Caroline Darragh, Rebekah Mills, Suzanne Bell, Kerrie Bell, Vicky Miligan, Jessica West, Vicky White, Louise Bell.
(Inter Cup 3rd round / Plate 1st round)
Ballyclare 2XI - 2
Cookstown - 1

The 2XI were home to Cookstown and great early pressure from the girls were unfortunately saved by the Cookstown keeper who made several good saves with shots from Zoe Reid and Paula Gilmore.
Cookstown then had a break and got their goal from a lucky deflection off a stick, Claire Grills was extremely unlucky not to save it. Ballyclare then fought back and Jordan Jones carried the ball herself from a free and fired in a shot from the edge of the circle and scored.
After half time, Ballyclare controlled the play with great forward play from Joanne Cooke and Julie Cooke. Cookstown had very few chances and when they did get near the Ballyclare circle, Julie West was there with great defending to block them out.
With 10 minutes to go the ball broke in the middle of the field with a great diagonal pass from Zoe Reid to Sopie Roy who calmly slotted the ball past the Cookstown keeper. Further attack from Cookstown came to nothing as Claire Grill's great saves ensured that Ballyclare won the game and now progress to the quarter finals of the cup.
This was a excellent win for Ballyclare as Cookstown are several leagues above Ballyclare in Senior 4. The 2XI will play Belfast Harlequins this Saturday.

Team: Claire Grills, Julie West, Jade Purdy, Lauren McCracken, Julie Cooke, Janice Wilson, Joanne Cooke, Sophie Roy, Ruth Jenkins, Paula Gilmore, Zoe Reid, Jordan Jones.

Jordanstown - 7
Ballyclare 3XI - 0

Away to Jordanstown, the 3XI had a disappointing result as they lost 7-0. Even with their growing skill and many of the girls improving brilliantly, they were unable to stop the Elks from scoring.
New to the team, Gail Moorhead played amazingly and showed true skill from her expert tackles while terrific play from mother and daughter Miriam and Claire Weatherup with Linzi Wilson and Ruth Jenkins playing superbly.
The 3XI were not disheartened by the score as they thouroughly enjoyed the match with fantastic performances from Katie Jamieson, Sarah Cunningham Chloe Fletcher and Kathy Morrow. A lovely combination of youth and experience has given the girls a lot of enjoyment - regardless of the outcome of the score.

Team: Claire Weatherup, Helen White, Chloe Fletcher, Gail Moorhead, Miriam Weatherup, Linzi Wilson, Emma Clarke, Kathy Morrow, Paula Gilmore, Sarah Cunningham, Katie Jamieson, Ruth Jenkins, Shannon McHaon.

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