Ladies move onto Senior Plate quarter finals

ON Saturday Cookstown faced Ballyclare at home in the One 1918 Senior Plate.

The team was confident going into the match having beat Ballyclare the previous week in the league. However, Ballyclare were not to be underestimated and began strong testing the Cookstown side on numerous occasions with L. Burton making some great saves in nets.

Cookstown fought back though and were working well creating some great chances up front. But it was Ballyclare who scored first to go 1-0 up.

Cookstown became more settled and their efforts were rewarded with a goal from L. McCracken. Some great passing between Black and Gillespie on the left opened up the play and allowed Black to cross the ball into McCracken to take her shot.

Just as the first half looked like it was over Cookstown again attacked the Ballyclare defence this time it was Johnston, with a well taken shot, that put the home side 2-1 just before the end of the half.

The second half started much like the first with both teams working hard and fighting for every ball. Cookstown came close to extending their lead when P. Black's back post shot was saved off the line by the Ballyclare defence.

Ballyclare had plenty of chances too and caught Cookstown on the counterattack on a couple of situations. But the strong Cookstown defence stopped them from capitalising on any chances.

Cookstown's lead was extended when great midfield passing result in R. Nelson getting the ball at the top of the ‘D’ and scoring a superb reverse shot goal into the bottom right corner.

The match ended 3-1 to Cookstown. The girls now face Armagh in the quarter finals.

Team: L. Burton, E. Dunlop, G. Brown, M. Devlin, R. Sloan, R. Campbell, L. Gillespie, R. Brown, R. Nelson, C. Hall, P. Black, L. Johnston, L. McCracken, J. McClaine