EYHL DIVISION 1
ARDS LADIES 2
PEMBROKE WANDERERS 0
AFTER two league games on the road, Ards Ladies brought some confidence into their first home fixture with a pair of draws and a shootout win.
On Saturday they hosted Dublin side Pembroke in front of a busy sideline of spectators. The game got off to an exciting start with both sides gaining early circle entries and Ards goalkeeper Naomi McKnight called into action from the get go with a great diving byline save.
As the game settled, Ards soaked up a lot of pressure defensively with Alana Doyle and Lizzie Colvin making crucial tackles and the work rate of Alyssa Boyd and Faye Tice helping to kick start the home counter attack.
Ards managed to win a penalty corner and while the initial shot was well defended, Zara Malseed’s follow-up took a deflection off a defender’s stick and Rachel Houston made no doubt about finishing the volley into the backboard to give Ards the lead.
Pembroke continued to press high, but Ards used Naomi Grundie well in the middle of the pitch to relieve pressure and release Amy Benson and Ellen Robinson down the sidelines for circle entries. The final quarter saw Ards come into their own, dominant in possession and, with help from Erin Getty and Ellen Robinson, the Oranges looked secure at the back. Sideline attacks from the fullbacks saw chances from Susie Cotter and Rachel Houston up front, while Amy Benson was able to use her pace to overload the visitors’ defensive line with ease.
Cotter was denied by the Pembroke ’keeper in a one-versus-one situation and a couple of great penalty corner routines were miraculously saved off the line as momentum very much swung in favour of the home team.
The pressure finally paid off when, after Pembroke took off their ’keeper, Ards expertly manipulated the visitors’ press and found space with a ball from Alana Doyle down to Zara Malseed just inside the 25. Using some trademark skills, she weaved her way through two defenders and her shot may or may not have taken a touch off Rachel Houston’s stick en route to goal.
Regardless of who got the final touch, Ards were able to celebrate a 2-0 win and their first of the 2024/25 campaign.
It’s a double header this coming weekend as the squad face UCC on Saturday and Catholic Institute on Sunday, with both games at Londonderry Park.
JUNIOR LEAGUE 4
ARDS LADIES 3XI 0
MOSSLEY LADIES 3XI 1
ARDS Ladies Thirds were in the late slot last weekend as they faced Mossley at home.
The Oranges’ Ellie Brown controlled the game from centre midfield and Becky Poots and Toni Ferguson made some timely tackles to keep the Mossley attack at bay.
Kim Logan had a player of the match performance at the back, defending brilliantly while also playing the ball forward to create good chances but the strong Mossley defence were making clear opportunities hard to come by.
Despite great defending from Ards and a number of saves from Isla Fox to keep them in the game, Mossley eventually executed a well worked penalty corner to go 1-0 up.
In the last quarter Ards stepped up the pace, with Megan Shaw showing off her skills driving strong through the midfield. Michelle Dougan continued to win the ball high up the pitch and supply the forwards with great balls, creating good chances on goal including two one-versus-ones, however the on-form Mossley ’keeper kept Ards out.
Despite a number of penalty corners the home side were unable to capitalise and it was the visitors who came away with a narrow win.
JUNIOR LEAGUE 8
CASTLE LADIES 3XI 5
ARDS LADIES 4XI 1
A THIRD-QUARTER goal spree from Castle Ladies Thirds consigned Ards Ladies Fourths to defeat in Carrickfergus.
Having seen some good chances pass by in the first quarter, it was a good break from Castle that saw them take the lead.
The Ards defence worked tirelessly with Sara Logan, Amy Pearson, Annie McFerran and Sophia Beattie making crucial tackles and working together to transfer the ball across the pitch. They linked up well with Daisy McGuigan who used her pace to make a great run to the circle. Ards won multiple penalty corners, but arrived at half-time still trailing.
In the third quarter Castle put Ards under sustained pressure and were able to score some well worked goals to take the game away from the visitors. In the final quarter Ards returned the pressure on the home defence and got some reward for their efforts when they won a stroke which was well taken by Nina Robinson to leave the final score 5-1 to the home side.
