Match Report: Saturday 22nd February v Larne Grammar
By Ballyclare High School on 24 February, 2020
As the only senior team in action on Saturday, the 2BXI had to contend with sleet, strong winds and lending some players to Larne who found themselves short of a full team for the annual league matches. In the first quarter Ballyclare had a few chances to score, as well as one short corner, but none were successful. By the second quarter, Ballyclare had reset their shape and were able to score, Jessica Hunter on the back post pitting the ball away. The weather took a turn for the worse in the third quarter and play became very difficult. Larne seized their chance and managed to equalise; however, Ballyclare quickly threw the match back in their favour with a goal from Katie McCullough to lead 2-1. With weather conditions worsening, it was decided to end the game early; the final score 2-1 to Ballyclare. Lucy Graham was player of the match.
The U14A team were on top of Larne from the whistle and Katie Ireland soon scored for Ballyclare. Despite several short corner chances in the first half, none were converted and the score remained 1-0 at half time. The second goal came after the break, when a rebounded shot fell to Erin McCartney who slapped it into the goal via a deflection. Rachel Cox’s straight strike from a short corner hit the back of the net to make it 3-0 to Ballyclare, with Evie McCullagh adding a fourth unanswered goal before the final whistle. Rachel McCann was player of the match.
The U14B team were also victorious in their game, with starring performance from player of the match Mollie McDowell. Her first goal came after five minutes and she added a second later in the half to make it 2-0 to Ballyclare at half time. Larne were pushing hard for a goal in the second half, but Ballyclare defended well and produced strong counter-attacks allowing Mollie to claim her hat trick. With under seven minutes to go Ballyclare were pushing for another goal and, yet again, Mollie scored! With two minutes remaining, the win was capped off with the team’s (and Mollie’s!) fifth and final goal – what a result!
Some good first half chances remained unconverted for the U13A team and they reached a scoreless half-time draw determined to put this right after the break. A short corner not long into the second half saw Ballyclare win a short corner. Player of the match Cally McWhirter struck the ball well to make it 1-0. The Larne goalkeeper made several good saves as Ballyclare ramped up the pressure and the final score remained 1-0.
The final league match sealed a fifth victory of the morning for Ballyclare through the U13B team. Ballyclare held possession for much of the match and scored first from a short corner, player of the match Sarah Campbell putting the ball in the net. Despite maintaining possession for the rest of the half, the score was still 1-0 at half time. Determined to find more goals, Ballyclare began the second half with determination, which paid off when Rachel Johnston scored after a long corner. Lauren Montgomery soon added a third goal, with Evie Moore scoring a fourth and final goal just before the final whistle.
