Thirds lose to 'derby' rivals

BALLYMENA Thirds lost 2–0 against Randalstown 4ths in dismal conditions on a heavy gravel pitch on Saturday.

As a result of players leaving up the club and with many regular thirds not available, this was a very inexperienced side with many newcomers in the squad, including Kelly Greer and Lauren McKelvey who have decided to take up the sport again having joined the social hockey group on a Tuesday night at the showgrounds.

Mandy McComb is the only real original player from last season's squad while the club welcome back Clare Headden who has been studying at university.

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Unfortunately, sweeper Sandra Dallas' involvement in the game was short lived as a back injury caused her to retire, her position filled by Carolyn Heron, who played for years at Ballyclare. Her experience and commitment are certainly Ballymena's gain.

The team also included up and coming talent from young players Ashley Harbison, Nicola Greer and Amie Logan.

It really took the team up to half time to get to know each other.

But by then the damage was done with Randalstown scoring their 2 goals in the first half of the match.

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The visitors did manage to regroup during the interval and one strategy that certainly worked was placing Rebecca Reynolds on Town's centre forward during the second half.

Ballymena's keeper, Margaret Dunlop had a good game and helped keep any Randalstown attack from crossing the goal line in the second half. Lisa Thompson's welcomed presence to the field in the second half also impacted greatly on Ballymena's performance.

All in all many positives can be taken from the game but with team selection still being decided throughout the club and with many players still to return, another new team could turn up for the thirds next Saturday as they meet Cookstown 2nds at home.

Thirds: Margaret Dunlop, Sandra Dallas, Carolyn Heron, Mandy McComb, Lisa Thompson, Ashley Harbison, Kelly Greer, Nicola Greer, Amy Logan, Lauren McKelvey, Clare Headden, Rebecca Reynolds.

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