Match Reports – Saturday 11th January v Lurgan College & Belfast High
By Ballyclare High School on 20 January, 2020
Lurgan College
The 1stXI were in action in the third round of the Schools’ Cup against Lurgan College this week and the girls recorded an impressive 5-0 win in very wet and windy conditions to progress through to the quarter-final stages of the competition. Katie Stewart opened the scoring for Ballyclare from a short corner, with Megan Cochrane adding a second just before the end of the first quarter. Molly Dougan then scored in the second quarter to make it 3-0 to Ballyclare at half time. Equally good intensity in the second half, along with some great individual play by Molly Dougan down the right hand side, resulted in a second goal for both Molly and Megan to make it 5-0 to Ballyclare overall. Player of the match was awarded jointly to both Katie Stewart and Molly Dougan.
Belfast High
Despite the poor weather, the 2AXI started quickly against Belfast High, the first goal a flick into the net from Anna O’Hara. Maintaining possession, Ballyclare continued to press, allowing Rachel Black to make her way into the circle and score a second. After the break, Leah Baird’s pass saw a lovely finish from Rachel Steele to make the final score a 3-0 win for Ballyclare. Holly Woodside was player of the match.
The 2BXI game began well, as Ballyclare put Belfast High under pressure to allow Jessica Hunter to score the first goal of the game. Player of the match Kelsey Smyth added a second from a short corner soon after. Belfast High scored next and, in spite of Ballyclare pressure and a disallowed goal, then added a second to level the game at 2-2 going into the break.
Determined to push on for the win, Ballyclare were initially frustrated by some good saves by the Belfast High ‘keeper, before Jade Allison scored a third for Ballyclare. With Lucy Graham scoring a fourth in the final quarter, the win was assured and the game ended early due to the poor weather conditions. Indeed, such were the conditions that the 3rdXI game was called off altogether.
The juniors also faced Belfast High this weekend, with the U14A recording a superb 8-0 win. Rachel Cox was first to score, followed by Katie-Anna Weatherup, Katie Ireland and Tilly Stewart to make it 4-0 to Ballyclare at half time. After the break, Erin McCartney scored, followed by a second for both Rachel Cox and then Erin McCartney. The eighth and final goal completed a hat trick for Rachel Cox, who was also awarded player of the match.
It was a close match in the first half of the U14B match, with both sides having chances but unable to put the ball in the back of the net. Five minutes into the second half Ellie Hanlon scored for Ballyclare and, building on this momentum, player of the match Ellie Gould scored a second. Belfast high piled on the pressure, but the Ballyclare defence stood firm to keep a clean sheet and record a 2-0 win.
The U13A team won 4-0 in their game, although it took a while for the girls to warm up to their best game. Katie Graham was first to score, tapping in Hayley Rolston’s ball at the back post, with Rebecca Smyth adding a second before the break. In the second half, Ballyclare were still dominant, with Cally McWhirter scoring a third. Zara Robson made a good save in the Ballyclare goal before Neeve Irvine scored a fourth goal to seal the 4-0 win. Grace Cowden was player of the match.
An impressive 6-0 win for the U13B team saw an amazing four goals by player of the match Rachel Johnston, scoring the first, second, fourth and final goals, with two further scores from Evie Moore and Susie McBride to cap a great victory.
