Ladies suffer defeat at Portadown

Having won their first league match last week, Ballymena failed to come out of the starting blocks with the confidence and eagerness which they should have had and it took them 15 minutes to waken up.

On the other hand, Portadown were a well organised team and their determination showed as they won 50/50 balls and took their scoring chances too, earning themselves three goals in the first half.

The visitors though did create some late chances in the first half and the score could have been 3–2 at the break if Ballymena had managed to convert but instead they were 3-0 down.

Despite a time to reflect, both teams started slowly in the second half but it was Portadown who hit Ballymena again with another goal after some poor marking; Emma Leslie unable to do anything about her deflected save.

Eventually, Ballymena got off the mark and gave themselves something to cheer about as Rebecca Reynolds tipped the ball over the keeper in a clinical penalty corner.

Then Suzanne Bell's strike from another corner beat the defenders, with Beth Dinsmore on hand to ensure it went in. Unfortunately the damage was already done and the match finished 4-2 to Portadown.

Having won the second half 2–1, Ballymena have some positives to take from the match but lack of fitness throughout the team clearly showed, and it wasn't helped by two players suffering from post flu tiredness.

The firsts are at home next to North Down who have yet to win a match, but Ballymena must return to their previous form if they are to gain the full three points.

Ballymena: Emma Leslie, Sara Allen, Suzanne Bell, Beth Dinsmore, Catherine McCracken, Jenny Dixon, Sarah Gage, Becky Linford, Rebecca Reynolds, Kirsten Young, Aimee Logan, Jess Kernohan, Susie Houston.

SECONDS

North Down II 2, Ballymena II 2: Ballymena seconds were very pleased with their 2-2 draw against North Down in Comber on Saturday.

Playing at Nendrum College on a rough carpet surface, Ballymena found they had to adapt their game to a bouncier pitch than what they are used to playing on.

Ballymena were feeling confident and took full possession in the first half. They were left at half time though licking their wounds because North Down took full advantage of two breaks in the first half and produced two wonder goals which must have met Ballymena with unbelief.

The visitors kept composure and came out in the second half stronger and with a fighting spirit to put things right. Again Ballymena had the majority of the ball but this time they made sure they had something to show for it.

The first goal came from a penalty corner with a clean strike by player of the match, Nicola Greer.

The connection between young promising players Jenny Sutherland, Jessica Duncan and Lauren Kennedy up the right hand side of the pitch, began to cause trouble for North Down. Their hard work together was rewarded by the equaliser. A cross by Kennedy was deflected into the goal by Lorna Murphy and deservedly Ballymena drew level to finish the match 2-2.

Seconds: Joanne Logan, Grace McBurney, Katie Houston, Jenny Sutherland, Nicola Greer, Jenny Paul, Amy Logan, Megan Rae, Jessica Duncan, Laura McKelvey, Kathryn Kealey, Lorna Murphy, Lauren Kennedy.

THIRDS

Ballymena III 0, Grosvenor III 3: Ballymena thirds were pleased with their performance despite losing 3-0 to top team Grosvenor at the showgrounds on Saturday.

The team consisted mainly of 'older' players and fitness can certainly be used as a reason for Ballymena's defeat against a younger, confident and well organised team.

Grosvenor scored within the first 15 minutes from a penalty corner but Ballymena's experienced players looked unphased and in reply Judith Doyle took on four defenders at one point and almost made it to the circle, showing Grosvenor she was one to be watched.

Grosvenor started the second half from where they left off and failed to capitalise on another cross which simply needed to be directed in at the far post.

Judith Doyle began to cause more bother for Grosvenor and with some good linking between Doyle and Clare Headen, things looked hopeful. Carolyn Heron also pushed forward and for 5 minutes Ballymena were winning corners but just couldn't find the finish to reach the Grosvenor goal.

The third and final goal came towards the end of the match when the ball was struck from the 25 right to the stick of a Grosvenor forward lying in wait at the penalty spot. Her sweep didn't leave the keeper any chance.

Ballymena must travel now to bottom of the table Ballyclare.

Thirds: Rebecca McCandless, Alison Caldwell, Sandra Dallas, Carolyn Heron, Mandy McComb, Judith Doyle, Ashley Ramsey, Christine Taylor, Lisa Thompson, Kellie Greer, Liz O'Kane, Clare Headen.

MEN

Ballymena 2, Omagh 6: Ballymena men's firsts are continuing to struggle to find their feet this season with a heavy 6 – 2 defeat against Omagh at the showgrounds.

Despite the loss of players from last season, Ballymena still believe they can compete this year and are finding that they are losing matches through unlucky spells where opponents are killing off the game with a succession of goals.

Ballymena found themselves reliving the nightmare of previous matches when they went four nil down in the first half but they managed to come out fighting in the second half and were rewarded with two goals thanks to Phil Nicholl. The first came from sheer determination following a tackle on Nicholl by the visiting keeper, who managed to lift the ball into the net with a diving reverse stick.

The second goal, again by Nicholl, came when a penalty corner broke and Nicholl's experienced flick over the keeper gave Ballymena back some credibility since Omagh also scored two more; the game ending 6-2 to Omagh.

The men are at home again this week against Foyle; Ballymena feeling their luck must surely change soon.

Ballymena men's seconds had their match cancelled owing to NICS not being able to field enough players, hence forfeiting the points to a happy Ballymena.

Ballymena: Alister Gibson, Phil Nicholl, Davey McDonald, Alister Hanna, Andrew McKelvey, Matthew Corbett, Matthew O'Neill, Mark Lightbody, Victor Orr, Andrew Shields, Chris Hogg, Tori Alexander, Mark Monteith