Newry Olympic Ladies 2s 1-0 South Antrim Ladies 5s

On Friday 4th October 2024, Newry Olympic Ladies 2nds played South Antrim 4ths under the floodlights on the Belfast Road ground, in the Ulster Hockey League Junior 11.

South won the passback and Newry chose sides. South Antrim went on the attack from the start but hit a brick wall against the Newry mids Ali Benson, Sarah Irwin and Jessica McCullough who foiled their attack. Play was switched through to forwards Sarah Knight, Captain Laverne Inns and Kate McFarland, who played the ball through the visitors defence and forced the South Antrim goalkeeper to make several saves.

In the second quarter, South picked up the pace, played the ball around the back and down the right hand side forcing the Newry defence to come out of the home circle and tackle the South Antrim press. Chrissie McAuley came out with ball and slipped it straight across to Newry right back Jodie Freeman who played some lovely one twos to Emma McCullough. Sweeper Diane McMinn-Johnston walloped the ball through the South forward line and it was picked up by Sarah Lawson, who drove up the pitch and hit the ball into the visitors circle. The ball was lifted and deflected by Captain Laverne Inns who scored her first goal for the season. Half time the Olympic led by one to nil. 

In the third quarter South Antrim really picked up the attack, however Newry used the 16-woman squad to roll on and off players in mid field. South secured a number of corners, but Abbey Moffett in goals was letting nothing past her now that home side were one nil ahead. Rebekah McFarland slipped the ball left to Caragh McGaffin and with fresh legs, Alissa Roche-Cromie sped up the pitch slipping the ball to Jessica McCullough, who then played the ball right across to Naomi Dickson who found a South Antrim defender's foot in the circle.  Newry were awarded several consecutive corners and tried straight shots, slips to left, right and back to the injector, but had to commend the South Antrim sweeper and goalie who prevented any further Newry goals.

The final whistle blew with Newry gaining another win in Junior 11. Player of the match was Ali Benson.

Newry Olympic Ladies 2s: Laverne Inns (Capt), Chrissie McAuley, Jodie Freeman, Abbey Moffett (GK), Emma McCullough, Sarah Lawson, Diane McMinn-Johnston, Rebekah McFarland, Kate McFarland, Sarah Irwin, Ali Benson, Sarah Knight, Caragh McGaffin, Alissa Rocha-Cromie, Naomi Dickson,