Schools’ Cup Hockey

Ballyclare High v Enniskillen Collegiate

Wednesday 15 th November

Ballyclare High 1 st X1 progressed to the third round of the Ulster Schools’ Cup with a comfortable 8 - 0 home win over Enniskillen Collegiate on Wednesday 15 th November.

Despite the inclement conditions a good crowd turned out for the first Senior Cup tie to be staged on the school’s impressive new astroturf pitch where the spectators were treated to an encouraging performance from the Ballyclare team.

After their Inter Provincial success with the Ulster Under 18 team last weekend, Rebecca Smith, Linzi Pollock and Sharon Graham played prominent roles, while Lyn Brown gave a typically industrious and skilful display as Ballyclare exerted pressure from the first to the last minute of the tie.

The effective combination between Louise Bell, Lyn Brown and Rebecca Smith was a recurring feature of the opening exchanges, with Louise particularly influential in prompting many of the Ballyclare attacks. After 8 minutes, from the second of what would be seventeen penalty corners, Linzi Pollock forced an excellent save from the visiting goalkeeper.

Two minutes later Louise Bell instigated another attack which culminated in Amy McConnell sweeping Ballyclare into a well-deserved lead. After 13 minutes Linzi Pollock did well to win another penalty corner, from which Rebecca Smith’s pass allowed Sharon Graham to score Ballyclare’s second goal.

Ballyclare’s domination of possession continued and the Enniskillen goalkeeper made saves in quick succession from Rebecca Smith and Linzi Pollock before Lyn Brown’s shot hit the outside of the post. Another good run from Louise Bell led to Amy McConnell’s shot being well saved by the goalkeeper, before Rebecca Smith added the third goal after 23 minutes with an exceptional piece of skill followed by an unstoppable shot from the edge of the circle.

Ballyclare started the second half in equally positive fashion and after only 90 seconds Carolynne Dougan extended the advantage to 4-0. Despite frequent substitutions the pattern of play remained unchanged. An incisive run from Sharon Graham forced another fine save and Linzi Pollock’s penalty corner shot was somehow kept out by the visiting defence.

The fifth goal came after 45 minutes when Amy McConnell netted the rebound after her initial shot had again been well saved. And five minutes later a deft touch from Sarah Whincup added the sixth goal.

With Ballyclare attacking incessantly the defenders held their concentration well, denying the visitors any opportunity to score a consolation goal. The constant pressure told again with only six minutes remaining. Sharon Graham’s reverse stick shot was well blocked, but Sarah Whincup was well placed to score her second and Ballyclare’s seventh goal. Finally with only three minutes remaining Amy McConnell completed her hat-trick with another opportunist strike

Despite the emphatic scoreline the Enniskillen girls deserve full credit for their perseverance in difficult, stamina-testing conditions, and especially their courageous goalkeeper who made a succession of fine saves to deny the Ballyclare forwards even more goals.

The opening of the new playing facility and the early season tour to Madrid have given fresh momentum to the Ballyclare squad this season. Having successfully overcome the first obstacle in this year’s cup campaign, the girls now look forward to hosting either Friends or Limavady Grammar in the next round.

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