South Antrim Ladies 6s 0-2 Newry Olympic Ladies 2s

On Saturday 16th November 2024, Newry Olympic Ladies 2s travelled to Lisburn to play South Antrim Ladies 6s.

Newry won the toss and chose the pass back at the Friends School grounds.

Olympic and South Antrim battled in a hard-fought encounter in the first two quarters and both teams had around 13 to 14 players to roll on and roll off. Each side had a couple of corners, but two strong defences with quick footed goalies foiled any chance of either team opening the the scoring. 

After half time both teams upped their game. South Antrim had the first real opportunity to score, catching the visitors on a break midway through the third quarter but they failed to make it count. A quick counter attack won Newry a short corner, which Ali Benson injected to Jenna McWilliams. Jenna's drag shot to the left was blocked by the home keeper leaving the rebound for Jessica McCullough who expertly converted for Newry to take a 1-0 lead. South Antrim pressed for an equaliser as the third quarter wore on, but their persistence did not pay off.

Shortly before the end of the third quarter Captain Laverne Inns found herself in space inside the circle, on receiving the ball she calmly faked passing it right and then walloped it past the South keeper to secure a 2-nil lead for the visitors.

The final quarter saw Newry raise their intensity even though they were now facing the late afternoon sun. Stacey Kidd, who was later named Player of the Match, delivered some standout moments. She weaved in and out of the home defence, fed the ball to her team mates left and right and drove up to the half way line and unleashed a fierce strike that flew into the South Antrim circle which helped the mids and forwards to secure a number of corners.

With solid defensive work and disciplined possession, the Olympic Ladies 2s eventually saw out the game to take all three points back to Newry.

Newry Olympic Ladies 2s v South Antrim Ladies 6s

Laverne Inns (Capt), Chrissie McAuley, Rebekah McFarland, Kate McFarland, Alissa Rocha-Cromie, Sarah Knight, Jodie Freeman, Naomi Dickson, Jessica McCullough, Sarah Irwin, Jenna McWilliams, Abby Moffett, Stacey Kidd, Alison Benson, Emma McCullough

Newry Olympic Ladies would like to thank Noleen O'Neill NMT & Sports Massage, for sponsoring the match. 

Captain Laverne Inns and Jessica McCullough were the Newry Olympic scorers once again, this time against South Antrim 6s