EYHL DIVISION 1
ARDS 1
PEGASUS 1
FOR the second week running, Ards Ladies were in Ulster derby action as they played hosts to Pegasus at Londonderry Park in the tenth round of the EYHL1 programme.
The Oranges started strong with some nice build-up play through Erin Getty and Alana Doyle, which found some nice overlaps from Ali Scott at full-back.
The first goal however came from some nice play down the left hand side as Alana Doyle linked with forward Susie Cotter who saw her initial shot saved, but Zara Malseed was quick to jump on the rebound and finish the play off for Ards after five minutes.
Ards continued to dominate the remainder of the quarter, winning their first short corner just before the end of the quarter, which was well defended by the Pegasus first runner.
Pegasus arguably had the better second quarter, where they found their equaliser after winning the ball in midfield before breaking through for a nice first-time finish.
Ards put on a strong defensive performance with Naomi Grundie, Lizzie Holden and Faye Tice in midfield fending off any further chances from Pegasus. The best chance of the quarter came from quick thinking Erin Getty who took a quick hit out following a defensive penalty corner, finding Ali Scott out on the right, who managed to link well with Pippa Best up front, but unfortunately the attack was well defended by Pegasus and Ards were unable to extend their lead before the end of the first half.
Ards returned to the pitch after half-time and managed to find the control they had in the first quarter. Emma Reid began to dominate and create some good chances down the right hand side of the pitch, linking up well with Amy Benson and Alyssa Boyd, who found some joy attacking the right byline, but Ards just couldn’t get the final touch in front of goal to get their second of the game.
In the final quarter, Ards continued to pile on the pressure. Zara Malseed had a shot brilliantly saved by the Pegasus goalkeeper after driving into the top of the circle. It wasn’t long after when forward Ellen Robinson was denied by the post and then a spectacular volley from Amy Benson was tipped over the crossbar by the Pegasus ’keeper.
The game finished 1-1, and so went to a shoot-out competition to decide who would take the bonus point. Ards goalkeeper Naomi McKnight managed to save three of the Pegasus attempts, with Zara Malseed, Amy Benson and Alana Doyle converting theirs for a 3-2 shootout win.
A very exciting game of hockey, and with Ards finding more form again after a tough run of away fixtures last month, they look forward to hosting Old Alex this weekend.
JUNIOR LEAGUE 1
ARDS LADIES 2XI 4
RANDALSTOWN LADIES 2XI 0
ARDS Ladies Seconds had a convincing 4-0 win over Randalstown in a game that provided plenty of attacking opportunities and good, open hockey.
Ards pressed from the start of the game and it wasn’t long before chances opened up as they attacked through Erin Adams in the middle of the park and used their speedy forwards to break through the visiting defence.
The hosts took the lead in the first quarter when good play between Becky Kirk and Aimee Adams found Lucy Andrews at the far post and she swept the ball home from close in. Ards could have extended their lead when a good move by Georgia Thornton created an opportunity for Vikky Reid, who saw her rifled shot brilliantly saved by the ’keeper and free of danger.
Randalstown pushed forward in search of circle entries but the calm Ruth Sutherland at the back kept control of every situation. Ards did extend their lead when another swift move out of defence found Maddie Leathem, who worked her magic and slipped to ball past the outstretched Randalstown ’keeper to make it two-nil.
Just before half time Ards put the game out of reach when a penalty corner strike rebounded back into play and once again Lucy Andrews was on hand to see the ball home.
Ards continued their quick, pacy play in the second half and continued to create several good scoring chances, especially through the pace of Aimee Adams on the right, however, the Randalstown defence held firm until the final quarter when Maddie Leathem helped herself to a second goal of the day to complete the scoring.
JUNIOR LEAGUE 8
BELFAST HARLEQUINS LADIES 6XI 0
ARDS LADIES 4XI 5
THE LATE Saturday afternoon start meant Ards Ladies Fourths missed the worst of the Storm Bert and got the all clear to play.
Opponents Harlequins came out fast with an early short corner, but a first shot hit the back of the net and not the backboard and Ards were lucky not to go behind within the opening minutes.
The whole game was end-to-end which opened up a lot of space in the midfield for creating attacking opportunities. Claire Weston drove down the right hand side to find Emma Dowds on the baseline, with a perfect ball across the mouth of the goal, however, Jenn Leitch was unable to slot the ball into the back of the net.
Quins were quick on the counter-attack, but Sara Logan and Amelia Rodgers were quick to react, keeping out the experienced Quins forwards. Just before the break, Daisy McGuigan ran through the Quins defence and found Erin Ramsay who smashed the ball home to send her side into the lead.
The second half saw more end-to-end play but it was Ards who capitalised and took their chances. Holly Scott attacked from defence, finding Claire Weston who crossed the ball to Joanne Gilliland sitting perfectly on the back post to make it 2-0 early in the half.
More attacks came from the back line, as Katie Browne continued to find the Ards forwards from hit outs as the style of play created so much space. One hit out found Nina Robinson in the centre, who found Jenn Leitch and a quick link play between Erin Ramsay and Daisy McGuigan allowed the latter to run through for a one-versus-one with the goalkeeper.
The Quins ’keeper managed to keep out the first shot but McGuigan reacted quickly to the rebound to make it 3-0.
The attacks continued to come straight from the back line, this time down the left with Lilly Menary stopping the Quins attack to find Philippa Wilson who drove to find Emma Dowds in the left hand corner and Ards were unlucky not to add a fourth from close range from Dowds. The last quarter saw Ards pile on the pressure on the Quins defence and ’keeper. Nina Robinson was twice denied a goal after seeing her powerful strike saved and the rebound stopped on the line, but Erin Ramsey did make it four after great work from Holly Scott.
The final goal came from Emma Dowds, perfectly placed on the back post after another successful play and cross from the right hand side.
