Ladies beaten by runaway leaders Banbridge on miserable day for club

The ladies’ First XI’s promotion hopes suffered a blow when they lost 3-0 to unbeaten runaway league leaders Banbridge, who they also still have to play at home later this month.

Shortly after an early disallowed Banbridge goal, Ballymena were caught on the break which ended in a one on one with the Ballymena keeper, and unfortunately Joanne Davis couldn’t keep out the effort.

Ballymena’s defence and midfield kept working hard but mid-way through the first half Banbridge scored their second with a penalty corner drag flick getting a slight deflection to put it in past Gillespie and Davis.

Ballymena then raised their game and were on top for the last 10 minutes of the half, where Young had 2 great chances for Ballymena, however the Banbridge keeper pulled off two great saves to deny the visitors.

Banbridge looked in control for the majority of the game and finished with a third goal from another penalty corner with a deflection at the post.

Ballymena: J. Davis(GK), G. McBurney, S. Morrison, E. Alexander, A. Logan, E. Gillespie, H. Taggart, J. Duncan, C. Gillespie, E. King, K. Young, A. Logan, E. Clarke

SECONDS

Belfast Harlequins II 2, Ballymena II 0: Both teams persisted to attack but a quick dash from a Quin’s midfielder resulted in a pass across goal where a waiting player touched it into the top right corner of goal for a 1-0 lead at half time

Midway through the second half Quins managed to carve their way through the Ballymena midfield and into the circle for another shot to take a 2-0 advantage.

Seconds: L. Hanna (GK), N. Greer, E. Clarke, H. Dickey, E. Alexander, E. Anderson, N. Rea, L. McClintock, S. Penney, L. Murphy, K. Aiken, A. Logan, S. Montgomery, G. McCready, S. Reid, S. Storey.

THIRDS

Rainey II 3, Ballymena III 0: Ballymena weren’t fazed at taking on the Junior 5 leaders but they didn’t make early chances count and Rainey scored on the break from a penalty corner.

Two more goals followed in the second period despite some good saves from Ballymena goalkeeper Rebecca Jones.

Thirds: R. Jones(GK), L. Burrows, A. Harbinson, E. Johnston(C), L. McClintock, R. Barr, S. Montgomery, L. Logan, N. Sloane, B. Hampton, D, Thompson.

MEN

Saintfield 4, Ballymena II 0: The Men’s 2nds travelled to play Saintfield 1sts on the gravel and after only 20 seconds found themselves a goal down. This was soon doubled before Ballymena finally got to grips with the surface and in the second half, two more home goals followed to seal the victory for Saintfield.

Ballymena: K. McConnaghie, J. Grimason, D. McDowell, A. Hanna(C), C. Black, E. Hampton, W. Barr, S. Glass, K. Murphy, P. Moody, P. Nicholl, J. Hampton, S. Gordon.