'Town challenge proves too great for ladies

Having lost some experienced players over the past couple of seasons, it was a young team that took on the daunting task of performing well in the first ONE 1918 Ulster Shield match, against a powerful side who play a league above them.

For the first half hour, the visitors held their own. This was particularly impressive from a young defence headed up by schoolgirl Sara Allen who has taken over as sweeper from her aunt, Mary Glass, who managed and coached the team on Saturday.

They also had to contend without their experienced defender, Suzanne Bell, who had to retire from the game through a head injury.

Ballymena were unlucky to not go into half time scoreless but a penalty corner goal from Randalstown meant it was 1-0 at the break.

With Ballymena encouraged by their state of play, the home side obviously felt they needed to up their game, and scored again early on in the second half from another corner.

Ballymena started to feel the pressure and allowed a soft goal to add to the tally while the Premier side finished off scoring from open play to see Randalstown win 4–0.

Ballymena were very much on the defence throughout the match and despite having a couple of breaks in the second half, there were no close chances.

Ballymena will have to lift their heads for an even more difficult task as they face premier league champions, Pegasus, in the ONE 1918 Ulster Shield group C match tonight (Tuesday).

The following week sees them away to newly promoted premier side Queens and then at home to the only other Section One team in their group, Greenisland.

Ballymena can be comforted by the fact that they wont have to face these top teams in their league matches and will simply use such fixtures as fitness and strengthening exercises for an exciting league season ahead.

Ballymena: Emma Leslie, Suzanne Bell, Becky Linford, Beth Dinsmore, Sarah Gage, Sara Allen, Amy Logan, Rebecca Reynolds, Megan Smyth, Catherine McCracken, Jenny Dixon, Jess Kernohan, Sally Roddy, Clare Gillespie.