Saint that a shame for Braidmen

Having missed out on some of the potential glamour draws against sides from across the border, Ballymena had the advantages of a bye in the first round and then faced Saintfield away on the shale - not the most ideal of pitches to play the fast counter-attack coach Simon Law instills in this team.

It was always going to be a hard match playing on the unfamiliar surface however Ballymena started the stronger of the two team hitting the channels and the defensive partner ship of Hogg and Tumilson closed out any Saintfield attack.

The first half was a stalemate with neither side being able to break the deadlock.

Simon Law and Andrew Bell had some success playing the short sharp passing game down the right however still were not able to find a way throught the Saintfield defence.

Ballymena could not break the deadlock and it was Saintfield who struck twice in the space of five minutes from two scrappy short corners.

Ballymena in the end were edged out by a good Saintfield side playing on their home turf, but ultimatelty they were beaten by the simple fact the away side could not nor did they look like putting the ball in the back of the net, a problem since talismanic striker Philip Nichol has been sidelined with a knee injury.

Man of Match: Graeme Shaw/Chris Hogg

Ballymena III 2, Civil Service VI 1: Ballymena Men's 3rd XI, fielding 12 schoolboys, played their first game this season with a friendly at home to Civil Service 6th XI.

After many nights spent training throughout the winter it was good to get some warmer weather and a 2-1 victory to go with it!

For the first 15 minutes Service were held inside their own half, as Ballymena's midfield of Barr, Lightbody, Murphy and George presented chance after chance for forwards Corbett, McMeekin and Foster to score. But for all their efforts it was the Service keeper who held them at bay.

Bali and Archer were providing strength down each flank, supporting the attacking midfield, but much against the run of play it was Service who scored first, with a quick breakaway goal!

Shrugging off this set back Ballymena continued to pass and move the ball around the pitch and eventually the equalising goal came from a sweet shot from Connor McMeekin, close to half time.

For 15 minutes of the second half, Ballymena struggled a little in defence as Service quickly closed down the ball, but finally the home side stepped up a gear and began to move the ball around the pitch.

Jackson, Esler and Donald worked hard in the centre of the pitch to maintain and fight for possession as midway through the half Ballymena took the lead with Will Barr slotting home a well taken cross.

All in all it was a very encouraging start to competitive hockey for this young team, who hope to play further friendly games throughout the remainder of the season.

The team would like to thank Trevor Topping for umpiring and those parents and friends who encouraged from the sidelines.

Thirds: A Gibson (GK), A Hanna, S Bali, C McMeekin, E Archer, A Donald, P Moody, M Corbett, A Jackson, W Barr, C Shaw, P Esler, T Foster, A Murphy, M Lightbody, A George, M O'Neill.

LADIES

Grosvenor II 2, Ballymena III 1: The thirds travelled to Belfast to play their second match of the season against Grosvenor.

With the home side above Ballymena in the league table this was always going to be a hard match and Ballymena were not assisted in the absence of a number of key players.

Grosvenor as expected started off strongly and within the first 15 minutes registered their first goal.

While the thirds may have had a feeling of dj vu they rallied strongly and had a number of good attacking runs down the right side. On a few occasions Judith Doyle's speed saw the rest of the team struggle to catch up with her, resulting in Doyle having to take a few shots on goal from very narrow angles. At least two of these only skimming past on the wrong side of goal.

Starting the second half, the Thirds were dismayed when Grosvenor registered their second.

With keeper Rebecca McCandless playing well in goal , Ballymena were able to keep the score at 2-0 before seeing what was undoubtedly the best move of the match. With link Julie Robison linking up well with winger Judith Doyle, Doyle was able to cross the ball neatly into the circle, where midfielder Katie Houston was well placed to slot past the Grosvenor keeper.

Thirds: R McCandless, J McDonald, S Russell, H Russell, A Harbinson, G McBurney, M McCombe, j Robison, E Houston, J Doyle, E Stewart, A Caldwell.