Ards 4
Mosley 3
ARDS have secured the Premier League title thanks to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Mossley on Wednesday night.
With only a draw required to clinch the championship, Ards approached the match with purpose, composure and the attacking sharpness that has defined their season.
Ards struck first in the opening quarter. Sustained pressure in midfield created the opening, and Alyssa Boyd—calm in possession – struck the target on her reverse, with Pippa Best reacting instantly, deflecting the ball into the circle to give Ards a deserved 1–0 lead.
Mossley responded early in the second quarter, capitalising on an attacking opportunity to level the score.
But Ards showed their resilience immediately. Just a minute later, Ards earned a penalty corner, and Emma Reid—who was dynamic throughout—stepped up. A well-executed routine saw her fire the ball into the net, restoring Ards’ advantage and sending them into halftime 2–1 ahead.
Ards continued to dictate the tempo after the break. Their midfield moved the ball with confidence, and the defensive line remained disciplined under pressure. The reward came midway through the third quarter when another slick penalty corner routine was well completely by Emma Reid. She struck cleanly again, extending the lead to 3–1 and underlining her influence on the match.
Mossley, however, refused to fade. They pulled one back to make it 3–2, injecting tension into the closing stages. But Ards held their nerve. In the 65th minute, Pippa Best—alert and clinical—pounced on a loose ball in the circle, finishing smartly for her second of the night and giving Ards a crucial 4–2 cushion.
In the dying seconds, Mossley were awarded a stroke, which they converted to narrow the gap to 4–3. But it was too late to change the outcome. Ards closed out the match with composure, their possession game steady and their defensive structure intact.
The final whistle confirmed what their performance had earned – Ards crowned Premier League champions.
