Parkhall girls beaten in NI Cup final

The Antrim girls were beaten 6-2 by St Louise’s in the final of the competition, played at Moyola Park.

Parkhall started of very strong with a good solo run from Emily Wilson in the first few minutes, unfortunately the ball went just wide. From this point St Louise’s went on the attack and pressed the Parkhall defenders deep into their half and managed to get a corner, from which they scored their 1st goal.

Throughout the game Abbie Brownlee kept the Parkhall defence in check and prevented some of the St.Louise’s attacks from coming anything. During the first half there were some good runs from Charley Robinson and Katie Hunter up both wings, however every time the sent the ball through to Emily Wilson, she was closely marked by two or three St Louise’s players.

In the final 2minutes of the first half, St.Louise’s scored two quick goals to make the score 3-0 at the break.

In the second half Parkhall came out much stronger and were first to every ball.

The support from the stands and from the side-lines encouraged the girls to kept fighting for every ball. From this increased tempo the Parkhall girls created more scoring opportunities.

Parkhall scored their first goal from a great ball through from Nicole Clyde for Emily Wilson to run onto and slot past the keeper.

Shortly after this a good run from Aimee Johnson allowed her to play the ball to Nicole Clyde inside the six-yard box who scored from close range but unfortunately the linesman called offside.

Undeterred by this the girls worked right until the final whistle. The Parkhall keeper Georgia Lynn made numerous good saves.

Not long after the Parkhall offside call St Louise’s used this to spring into attack and scored another goal which made it 4-1. Amy Yarwood came on with 20 minutes to go and played with great pride and promise closing the opponents down.

From this kick off after St Louise’s goal Parkhall’ s captain Zoe Kilpatrick played a great through ball to Emily Wilson to run onto again and score her second goal of the match. In final two minutes St Louise’s scored two late goals.

Despite the disappointment Parkhall held their heads high. It was a great performance from all players.

Despite the defeat Parkhalls’ supporters lifted the spirit of the team at the end, a big thank you to them and for their great posters created in art!

A massive well done to all the girls for reaching this prestige final. Thank you to Miss Huey & Miss Langton for their work with the team this year and to Mr Beattie for letting our supporters come as they kept our spirits high.

Zoe Kilpatrick and Emily Wilson have been selected to go in May to play Latvia in the Northern Ireland Under 16 Girls Squad.

Great news for school and the two girls. Congratulations to the both of them.

Parkhall team: Georgia Lynn, Abbie Brownlee, Eryn Kennedy, Jade Brownlee, Ellie McFadden, Charley Robinson, Katie Hunter, Zoe Kilpatrick (C), Amy Johnston, Emily Wilson, Nicole Clyde, Katie Moore, Jodie Anderson, Beth Whiteside, Amy Yarwood.