[with photos]
EYHL DIVISION 1
ARDS 2
UCC 2
ARDS 1
CATHOLIC INSTITUTE 2
IN A double-header weekend for Ards Ladies Firsts, they welcomed University College Cork to Londonderry Park on Saturday and Catholic Institute to the same venue on Sunday.
Saturday’s game got off to a lively start as the Oranges took the lead when Alyssa Boyd converted from close range, but UCC got back on level terms with a reverse deflection after winning a penalty corner.
With the score level at half time, Ards pushed forward and thanks to some great runs from Zara Malseed and Rachel Houston as well as clever passes from Lizzie Holden and Naomi Grundie in midfield, the home side had the majority of play and circle entries.
They had been unable to find that all-important final touch to take the lead, until Holden found Amy Benson in space in the circle who finished first-time.
A frantic end to the game saw UCC score another reverse deflection and the visitors secured a bonus point from the shootout.
On Sunday Catholic Institute scored two early goals to leave Ards
chasing the game. As they began to make a comeback, Ellen Robinson and Erin Getty teamed up well for Ards to create some sideline attacks and Susie Cotter and Maddie Leathem made some great steals from the Orange press.
However despite the pressure building, the clinical finish required at the higher level continued to evade the locals.
Their frustration continued after further missed chances from penalty corners, but Ards buckled down and both Rachel Houston and Susie Cotter were denied by the visiting goalkeeper.
After taking off Naomi McKnight to gain a player advantage, the Oranges finally made a breakthrough when Amy Benson converted from a goalmouth scramble.
But there wasn’t enough time left for Ards to craft an equaliser and take the game to a shootout as Catholic Institute took home all three points.
Ards are back on the road this weekend as they travel to play UCD on Saturday.
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Clean sweep of wins for junior Ards teams
JUNIOR LEAGUE 1
ULSTER ELKS LADIES 2XI 0
ARDS LADIES 2XI 1
AFTER seeing their last game against Lurgan abandoned, Ards Ladies Seconds were excited to see the sun out in full force for their fixture against Elks at Ulster University on Saturday.
The majority of play was spent with Ards in possession, using Sophie McGrath and Anna Browne as outlets for some circle attacks which saw shots from Vikki Reid and Maddie Leathem miss the target.
The pressure continued to build in favour of Ards with some short corner routines but they couldn’t find that all-important final touch. Lucy Andrews almost had an opening goal before half-time, but Elks were quick to make the tackle and clear their lines.
The second half followed a similar pattern of play, with the Oranges finding passes through their midfield into dangerous areas, but it wasn’t until late in the game when a byline attack found Frankie Brown on the flick spot who laid it off for Reid to reverse flick her shot over the ’keeper’s shoulder and give Ards the lead.
Some frantic defending and quick frees from Elks saw cards being dished out and both sides had to manage with player deficits, but Ards held strong to take the points.
JUNIOR LEAGUE 4
NORTH DOWN LADIES 3XI 1
ARDS LADIES 3XI 4
ARDS Ladies Thirds were in derby action as they faced North Down in Comber.
Ards started the match strongly, passing very well as a team and creating some early chances. They took the lead when Anna Campbell earned a short corner and Olivia Thompson finished off the new routine excellently.
Ards’ second goal came at the beginning of the next quarter with good work between Kim Logan and Maddie Heasley setting up Heidi West-Logan to finish at the back post.
Only a few minutes later another attack down the right saw Charlotte Caughey, who was having a great game, pick out West-Logan who was again in the perfect position at the back post to grab her second of the game.
In the third quarter the match was very even, with both sides playing some good hockey. Great attacking play from Megan Shaw and Erin McCoy saw some excellent efforts on goal from Olivia Thompson but the in-form North Down ’keeper made a number of great successive saves.
North Down made a fast break and won a short corner which was very well taken from the top of the circle to get a goal back. Ards then won another corner of their own which was expertly finished by Ellie Brown to make it 4-1.
JUNIOR LEAGUE 8
ARDS LADIES 4XI 5
BANGOR LADIES 4XI 1
ARDS Ladies Fourths were looking to put the disappointing result of last week behind them and get back to winning ways again, when they faced newly-promoted Bangor on Saturday.
The Oranges dominated from the beginning, with Ruth Gorman distributing well from the midfield to the forwards, however, the experienced Bangor defence kept out a host of efforts from Claire Weston on the right hand post.
A break against the run of play took the Ards defence by surprise and Bangor found themselves going ahead despite the majority of play being in the Ards attacking half.
A defensive mistake by Bangor on a hit-out gave Jenn Leitch the opportunity to level the scores, but her attempt was well saved.
Ards equalised from a short corner routine, with a well timed shot from injector Sara Logan at the left-hand post.
In the second quarter Ards were in full attacking flow and Beth Harper kept her composure after a series of rebounds to slip the ball past the ’keeper to put her side in front going into the second half.
An unfortunate head injury to sweeper Katie Browne saw Amy Pearson lead the defence for the second period. With her eye for finding space at hit outs, Ards were able to capitalise on more attacking play to keep Bangor under pressure throughout the half. Hannah Simpson was on call to make some crucial saves as Bangor continued to be a threat on the break, before Nina Robinson made the scoreline 3-1 from a short corner strike shortly before the final quarter.
Joanne Gilliland and Emma Dowds were both unlucky not to find the back of the net, with the young Bangor goalkeeper making the attack work hard to find opportunities for rebounds.
A second head injury, this time to a Bangor player, halted the game for some time in the final quarter which led to both teams being a bit out of sorts for the final minutes. Ards were able to eventually settle and increased their lead when Claire Weston’s endless efforts were rewarded.
In the final moments of the game, Daisy McGuigan had a flying drive down the left hand side and slotted home to round off the scoring.
Ards wish the injured Bangor player a speedy recovery and thank both coaches and umpires for their efforts.
JUNIOR LEAGUE 12
BALLYNAHINCH LADIES 3XI 0
ARDS LADIES 5XI 5
ARDS Ladies Fifths came away with their first three points of the season thanks to a 5-0 nil over Ballynahinch on Saturday.
The game was entertaining and competitive throughout, with Ards having the majority of the better chances early on, but the Hinch ’keeper made a couple of good saves.
Ards got the breakthrough they deserved towards the end of the first quarter from their third penalty corner when Maura Hennessy stood up and struck a sweet shot from the top of the circle.
Following good work by Ruby Throughton and Heather White, Hennesey got on the scoresheet again when she picked up a Hannah Crossman pass and scored from close range.
Just before half-time Ards made it three and put the game beyond the reach of Ballynahinch when Mollie Donnachie found Nicky Bailie who used her skill and strength to drive into the circle and leave the ’keeper with no chance.
The second half was a more even affair with Ballynahinch creating several chances of their own but a couple of good saves from Kat Jemphrey along with timely tackles from Imogen Heatherley and Lauren Joanne ensured the Ards’ clean sheet stayed intact.
It was from a Ballynahinch attack that Ards scored their fourth goal. Quick thinking by Karis Gordon saw the ball transferred to Anna McMillan who used her speed, drove into the circle and fed Alesha Carlisle who found the perfect finish, sweeping the ball home from the middle of the circle.
The final quarter saw both teams trade chances but the Ards defence held firm whilst at the other end Claire Millar got on the scoresheet with a neat finish from six yards out following some good work by Nicky Bailie.
Well done to both Nicky Bailie and Alesha Carlisle on their first senior club goals and thank you to Eileen Saunders for umpiring.
