Newry Olympic Ladies 2s 1-2 Enniskillen Ladies 1s

On Saturday 19th October, Newry Olympic Ladies 2nds played at home against Enniskillen for the fourth round of fixtures in the Junior 11 Hockey League. Fortunately, the sun was shining and as October afternoons go, it wasn’t too bad for a game of hockey.

From the start it was clear it was going to be an evenly balanced match with both teams attacking from the outset. Early in the first quarter and after some play down the right, Diane McMinn-Johnson filtered the ball through to Naomi Dickson who passed the ball to left wing Sarah Knight. Sarah broke into the 'D' along the back line and managed to pass the ball across to captain Laverne Inns and at an extreme angle she got the reverse shot away – and it beat the Enniskillen keeper and went in, to the delight of the home side.

However, the Enniskillen girls kept going, creating attacking chances such as the driving run from the right into the 'D' from a perfectly positioned and unmarked left wing on the left post, but she couldn’t quite connect. The play was back and forth between the ends and both teams had their chances. Abby Moffett in the Newry goal was super precise with her clearance kicks and made some important saves. There was some great defensive play by Chrissie McAuley, who is always very calm and controlled under pressure and Emma McCullough who made some well-timed tackles and some lovely runs out of defence. However, unfortunately Enniskillen managed to convert one of their chances and despite, at one time, the ball ping-ponging between the goal post and the Newry keeper, Enniskillen equalised – so the half finished 1-1.

After half time a change in the Enniskillen tactics meant pushing four players up front and this did alter their ability to attack against the Olympic's defence and the visitors eventually scored again, getting into the lead 2-1.

Some great running on the left from Caragh McGaffin beating her defender with great skill was lovely to see.

The rest of the second half was then very one-way with the girls trying their hardest. Katie McFarland and Jenna McWilliams created a number of chances! At times everyone watching were left wondering how on earth the ball didn’t end up in the back of the net, with reverse stick shots, a short corner, waist high shots across the goal and shots skimming past the far post. With about four minutes left on the clock the Newry ladies were desperate for the equaliser, but the full-time whistle came too soon.  So final score 2-1 to Enniskillen. Hard to take but sometimes that’s sport!

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