Ballymoney grab 1-1 draw at home to Queen’s in hockey league

On Saturday 7th December, Ballymoney Hockey Club took on Queens in a league fixture.

Ballymoney started strong from the outset knowing that they needed a win. They piled on the pressure with a forward line of Susannah Brown, Jessica Moore, Nicola Sargent, Cara Ferguson, Olivia Linton and Lynn Macauley working hard and creating problems for Queens. Eventually they were rewarded with a penalty corner, and came close to scoring but a Queens player stopped the ball on the line with their foot leading to a stroke. Nicki Parke stepped up and netted the stroke putting Ballymoney ahead. Ballymoney began to take their foot off the gas and let Queens back into the game. Queens hard work and diligence led to them winning a penalty corner. Although the Ballymoney defence with Sammy Jo Greer in goal dealt with it confidently. The half ended 1-0 to Ballymoney.

In the 2nd half Queens came out with a point to prove. They put Ballymoney under pressure early on and Ballymoneys defence and midfield held tight. Although Ballymoney did counter and had quite a few chances throughout the half with Cara Ferguson going just wide with a shot on goal. Although eventually the defence wore thin and Queens scored a goal. Ballymoney began to fight back and had a string of penalty corners, and in one Jessica Moore sustaining a head injury, sadly having to leave the field of play. Ballymoney fought hard to try and go one better than Queens with no such luck and so had to settle for a draw.

* The previous week Ballymoney travelled to Glenanne in Dublin for the second round of the Irish Senior Cup. The girls got off to a great start against a physical Glenanne side. They enjoyed the majority of early possession with Julie Nelson and Katherine Minihan linking up down the right hand side. Glenanne threatened the Ballymoney goal on occasions but failed to convert several penalty corners.

The deadlock was broken mid-way through the first half when Ballymoney’s Jess Lynch deflected in a penalty corner shot from Susie Sneddon. The half ended 1-0 however a determined Glenanne side equalised at the start of the second half leaving both sides with everything to play for. Ballymoney found themselves under pressure and Glenanne scored again, putting them in front for the first time in the match.

Ballymoney fought back and the Dubliners lead was short lived as Jessica Moore slotted in a great ball from midfield.

Both sides had opportunities to score the winning goal but were unable to convert. The match ended 2-2 and with no score in extra time the result was decided on flicks. Ballymoney came out victorious winning 4-3 after penalty flicks.

The team would like to thank all the supporters who travelled to watch the match.